Srinagar, Sep 27 (NVI): The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sealed a packaged drinking water unit at the Industrial Growth Centre (IGC), Lassipora in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district for operating without a valid FSSAI licence, officials said on Sunday.
Acting on a complaint, a Food Safety team inspected the premises of M/s Swat Industries, which was processing and packaging drinking water under the brand name “ICY Wave”, they said.
The inspection found that the unit was operating without the mandatory FSSAI licence for processing and packaging drinking water.
The team also found that the FSSAI licence number displayed on the bottles had been obtained for wholesale and retail business of fruits and vegetables and did not cover the processing or packaging of drinking water, officials said.
Two samples of the packaged drinking water were lifted for analytical examination, following which the premises were sealed and operations suspended.
A show-cause notice was also served on the person-in-charge of the firm, seeking an explanation within three days.
The FDA said action has been initiated for filing a complaint/prosecution before the competent court under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Under Section 31 of the Act, food business operators are required to obtain a licence, wherever applicable. Operating a food business requiring a licence without obtaining one is punishable under Section 63, with a penalty that may extend to Rs 10 lakh, it said.
The department said packaged drinking water and mineral water fall under the high-risk food category and require enhanced regulatory oversight.
The FDA reiterated that all food business operators must obtain and maintain a valid FSSAI licence or registration appropriate to the nature of their business and said enforcement action would continue against violations of food safety laws.—(NVI)
