Definition of High-Risk Foods:
High-risk foods are ready-to-eat products that support pathogenic bacterial growth, posing health risks if contaminated. Examples include dairy, meat, and fish. These foods undergo stringent inspections due to their susceptibility to contamination.
- Why Packaged Drinking Water is High-Risk:
- No Further Processing: Consumed directly without cooking, leaving no chance to eliminate contaminants.
- Microbiological Risks: Contamination (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) from poor source water, inadequate treatment, or unsterile packaging can lead to outbreaks.
- Chemical Risks: Leaching of harmful chemicals (e.g., phthalates, BPA) from substandard packaging materials.
- Environmental Factors: Improper storage (e.g., warm temperatures) may promote bacterial growth, even in nutrient-free water.
- Production Vulnerabilities:
- Source Water Quality: Groundwater or municipal sources may contain pollutants if not rigorously tested.
- Treatment Failures: Processes like reverse osmosis, UV, or ozonation must be consistently monitored; lapses can lead to unsafe water.
- Packaging Integrity: Non-sterile bottles or caps introduce contamination risks during bottling.
- Human Handling: Poor hygiene among workers or unsanitized equipment can cause cross-contamination.
- Regulatory Measures by FSSAI:
- Mandatory Inspections: Risk-based checks at production facilities to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
- Annual Audits: Central licensed manufacturers must undergo audits by FSSAI-empanelled agencies, evaluating:
- Source water quality and treatment efficacy.
- Packaging material safety and sterilization.
- Storage and distribution conditions.
- Preventive Focus: Proactive measures to mitigate large-scale public health impacts, given the product’s widespread consumption.
- Global Context:
- Aligns with international standards (e.g., FDA, EU), which also enforce strict controls on bottled water due to similar risks.
- Historical incidents (e.g., recalls due to chemical/microbial contamination) underscore the necessity of rigorous oversight.
Conclusion:
Packaged drinking water is classified as high-risk due to its direct consumption nature, potential for contamination at multiple production stages, and significant public health implications. FSSAI’s regulations, including audits and inspections, aim to ensure safety from source to shelf, preventing outbreaks and ensuring consumer trust.
