Indian Bottled Water Manufactures Association appeals FDA to take action against Illegal chilled water, packaged drinking water and flavour water plants.

Mumbai, February 2016: The Indian Bottled Water Manufactures Association has recently filed a complaint against few bottle water manufactures which are based within and on the outskirts of Mumbai like Panvel, Vasai, Virar, Bhayander, etc who are illegally manufacturing packaged drinking water in the market without bearing a proper license and ISI or FSSAI mark on their product.

The Association recently held a meeting with Mr Harish Baijal, Joint Commissioner Vigilance and with Mr Abhimanyu Kerure, Assistant Commissioner Vigilance at the FDA office in Mumbai. The association submitted all proofs and documentation of manufactures bearing fake licenses, ISI and FSSAI mark on their product and miss branding the consumer with their fake products.

During the meeting few companies and brand name were revealed out which are based within and on the outskirts of Mumbai which includes:  D.M International Manufacture using license of D.M International but manufacturing brands like “LEVO” and “Fulero” under Sublime Beverages (License No. 11516007000159), Gaudevi Water Solution, Jainam Industry, Bhuval Mineral Water, Phoenix Dew,  Maza Aqua, Aarwa Waters, Kohinoor Beverages (Brands like Kohinoor Aqua, Tani Fresh, Shree Neer), Chiller Life Care chilled water and many more.

Over the meeting Mr Harish Baijal, Joint Commissioner Vigilance said, “We will investigate and study the whole matter for the next 7 to 8 days and will come back with the action which needs to be taken.”

Post the meeting Mr Abhimanyu Kerure, Assistant Commissioner Vigilance said, “We will consider this issue as a matter of concern towards the health of our consumers in Maharashtra and will assure that an action will be taken soon against the illegal manufactures.”

The General Secretary of IBWMA Mr Apurva Doshi said, “Some bottled water manufactures are illegally producing and realising their products in the market without an ISI or FSSAI mark on their product and also without holding a proper license for manufacturing the product. Also these manufactures do not hold any proper manufacturing machines and testing facilities. To attract & cheat customers these Manufacturers are cooling & supplying their water in chilled jars to lure customers. However customers are unaware that the chilled water they are consuming is actually just tap or boring water and this has resulted in an increase in many health problems for the consumers. Also since summer season is coming soon and there is a huge shortage of drinking water in many areas in and around Mumbai and Maharashtra we fear that if strict action is not taken immediately then there could be many such illegal plants shooting up in the next few months which could be a threat for consumers and a risk to human life.”

Over the meeting Mr Sunil Jain, Joint Secretary, IBWMA pointed out stating, “Some plants are manufacturing packaged drinking water by taking license of  flavour water or fragrance water wrongly issued by State FDA department whereas in such cases the Central license is to be taken for propriety foods after NOC or product approval. They are misguiding the consumers who are unaware of the norms and are playing with their health.”

Also many illegal manufactures are filling packaged drinking water inside their homes and buying the bottles from the scrap dealers having ISI or FSSAI mark on the bottle along with the registered company label on it.