Packaged Drinking Water Categorised as “High-Risk Food” in India

If you often buy bottled water, take note. In December 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reclassified packaged drinking water and mineral water as a “High-Risk Food Category”. The reclassification is designed to strengthen consumer protection and maintain rigorous quality control in the packaged water industry.

The FSSAI defines high-risk foods as those requiring regular, risk-based inspections and annual audits. Under updated guidelines, manufacturers and processors of packaged drinking and mineral water in India must now pass mandatory inspections before obtaining a licence or registration.

By categorising packaged drinking water and mineral water as high-risk, the FSSAI aims to protect consumers from potential health risks.

Why Plastic-Bottled Water is Unhealthy

Plastic-bottled water has been found in studies to contain tiny plastic particles. A 2024 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that on average, a liter of bottled water included about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic. About 90% of these plastic fragments were nanoplastics.

Like all plastics, microplastics and nanoplastics are known to contain any mix of additive chemicals. More than 16,000 such chemicals have been counted in plastics, and none have been classified as “safe”. At least 25% are already officially classified as hazardous, says the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Plastic water bottles also leach chemicals, especially when exposed to heat, sunlight, or long storage times, potentially contaminating the water with toxic substances like antimony, Bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates.

Avoid plastic-bottled water. Choose safer alternatives – eg: stainless steel or metal bottles and glass bottles. Drink cool boiled water from a mug or glass.