India, May 11 -- The Western Regional Office of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) West Region has initiated significant enforcement action against a manufacturer of Alkaline Water, following a consumer complaint registered through the Food Safety Connect portal.
The complaint, which highlighted a failure by the Food Business Operator (FBO) to address grievances, prompted a post-license inspection of the companys manufacturing unit in Savli, Vadodara, Gujarat. During the inspection, it was found that the product name was not present on the front of the packaging, declaration of ingredients was missing, and black particles within the finished product were visible.
Further technical scrutiny revealed multiple non-compliances, such as unexplained blackish-brown coloration, the presence of sediments, and contradictory descriptions between the primary and secondary packaging. In response to the seriousness of these findings, regulatory officials seized stocks valued at approximately INR 31.61 lakh and initiated formal proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of fulvic acid, a substance not permitted under current FSSAI regulations. Investigations established that this ingredient originated from the addition of black mineral substances and was not inherent to the raw or processed water, confirming a clear violation of established safety standards.
FSSAI reiterates its steadfast commitment to ensuring that all food products available to the public are safe, wholesome, and accurately labelled.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.