BIS Licence, A Pre-condition For FSSAI Licence To Manufacture Packaged Drinking Water

The supreme food regulator, FSSAI, has released an order stating that the FBOs engaged in the manufacturing of the packaged drinking water (PDW) and mineral water (MW), were required to receive a BIS licence while applying for FSSAI licence.

This order by FSSAI would ensure compliance with the condition of BIS licence and shall come into force from 1st April, 2021.

The FSSAI order asserted- “It has been decided to make BIS licence/application for BIS licence, a pre-requirement for issuing FSSAI licence.”

Additionally, the FSSAI order said that a procedure has been specified down for considering the application for issue of FSSAI licence in case of manufacturing of packaged drinking water and mineral water.

The ‘procedure’ includes compulsory uploading of a copy of licence or copy of letter showing the recording of application for BIS licence while applying for a new licence for PDW and MW from FSSAI on the online system of FoSCOS.

Post obtaining a BIS licence, the FBO is required to furnish its details in the online Annual Return available in FosCoS, declares an official with the FSSAI while further stating that the BIS licence shall be a compulsory document at the time of applying for renewal of FSSAI licence as well.

The procedure specified by the FSSAI also states that in the event of closure of rejection of application for licence by BIS, the FBO requires to inform the concerned licensing authority and the FSSAI application or licence in such a case would be at the risk of rejection, suspension or cancellation.

As per the FSSAI, the FBOs have to receive licence or registration before the beginning of the food business. Under the guidelines in FSS –Restriction and Prohibition-Regulations, there is a condition mentioned that ‘no person shall manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale, packaged drinking water and mineral water except under the Bureau of Indian Standards –BIS certification Mark.

The order came into action after the food regulator received complaints regarding many such FBOs that were functioning without obtaining BIS certification-mark.