FSSAI urges Chennai residents to inspect packaged water

Residents in Chennai are being urged to check the quality of packaged drinking water before making a purchase. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has raised concerns over water safety standards. They advise consumers to inspect containers for clarity and proper labeling. Last year, many water units were shut down for lacking necessary licenses and treatment facilities. With water demand expected to rise, officials want licensed plants to maintain high standards. Dr. P Satheesh Kumar, a food safety officer, highlighted that companies should not reuse bubble tops and cans more than 50 times. Customers are advised to choose containers that are mostly transparent and free of scratches since these can indicate overuse. Chennai and nearby areas have around 450 licensed water packaging units. Food safety officials plan to inspect these units in the coming weeks. The inspections will ensure that they follow proper treatment protocols. Dr. Satheesh Kumar emphasized that labs need to be licensed and equipped for quality checks. Consumers should check for FSSAI licenses on labels, verify manufacturing and expiry dates, and ensure that all packages are sealed. Expiry dates can range from one to six months based on the treatment methods used. FSSAI will conduct awareness campaigns throughout the summer. Officials have also halted illegal operations that refill used cans with untreated water. They advise public venues, like hotels and railway stations, to encourage customers to crush used bottles before discarding them. Retailers are reminded to store water containers away from sunlight to prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into the water.