High Risk Food Category:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to treat the packaged drinking and mineral water segment as a “High Risk Food Category”.
- Food products that come under the “High Risk” category are subjected to mandatory risk-based inspections.
- They include dairy, meat, fish egg, and food items intended for nutritional use, prepared food, Indian sweets and nutrients, and related preparations such as fortified rice kernel.
- In its order, the FSSAI has made amendments in its Risk-Based Inspection Policy to include the packaged drinking water and mineral water categories.
- This means that these products will now be subject to mandatory inspections and third-party audits.
- All centrally licensed manufacturers under high-risk food categories shall get their businesses audited annually.
- This aims to improve the safety and quality standards of these products for consumers.
- Previously, the packaged drinking water industry had called for simplified regulations, requesting the removal of dual certification requirements from both BIS and FSSAI.
