362 Manufacturing Units Inspected; 233 Samples Collected, Licences Suspended and Production Halted at Several Facilities
Lucknow: In a major initiative to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic, and quality drinking water for consumers, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration Department carried out a special inter-district enforcement drive targeting packaged drinking water manufacturing units operating across various divisions of the state.
The statewide campaign was launched on the directions of the Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and aimed at strengthening compliance with food safety regulations while identifying violations in the packaged drinking water sector.
According to information released by the department, special enforcement teams led by Divisional Assistant Commissioners (Food) conducted inspections of 362 packaged drinking water manufacturing units operating in different districts across Uttar Pradesh.
233 Samples Collected for Testing
During the extensive inspection campaign, officials collected 233 food samples for laboratory analysis and examined compliance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with regulations framed under the Act.
The inspections focused on assessing manufacturing standards, hygiene practices, operational procedures, and adherence to food safety norms prescribed for packaged drinking water units.
Improvement Notices Issued to 56 Units
The enforcement drive revealed multiple instances of non-compliance and operational irregularities.
A total of 56 manufacturing units were issued Improvement Notices, directing them to rectify deficiencies and comply with prescribed food safety standards.
Officials also found that:
- 38 units had remained non-operational for an extended period
- 21 units were still in the process of establishment
- 38 units had surrendered their licences
- 41 units had their licences suspended due to regulatory concerns
Units Sealed and Production Stopped
The department took stringent action against units that failed to cooperate with the inspection process.
A total of 57 manufacturing units that chose to shut down operations instead of undergoing inspection were served notices and sealed. Authorities directed that production activities at these facilities must not resume without undergoing the required inspection and obtaining necessary approvals.
In addition, 37 manufacturing units were ordered to stop production immediately after inspectors identified serious deficiencies and violations that could potentially compromise product safety and quality.
Packaged Drinking Water Worth ₹5.06 Lakh Seized
Based on the violations detected during the campaign, authorities seized 293 kilolitres of packaged drinking water, with an estimated market value of approximately ₹5.06 lakh.
The action was taken to prevent the distribution of potentially non-compliant products and to safeguard public health.
Comprehensive Compliance Audit Conducted
Officials carried out a detailed assessment of operational and safety standards at each unit. The inspection teams examined:
- Cleanliness and sanitation of manufacturing premises
- Food safety management systems
- Availability and functionality of Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems
- Availability and functioning of UV and ozonation treatment facilities
- Health certificates of food handlers and workers
- Manufacturing and purification processes
- Cleanliness and maintenance of machinery and equipment
- Quality of packaging materials
- Product labelling and regulatory disclosures
- Record maintenance and documentation
- Compliance with food safety regulations and standards
The department emphasized that packaged drinking water manufacturers are required to maintain strict quality-control systems and comply with all food safety norms to ensure consumer protection.
Strengthening Consumer Safety
Officials stated that the special enforcement campaign reflects the Uttar Pradesh government’s commitment to ensuring that consumers receive safe and standard-quality food and beverage products. The drive also serves as a warning against non-compliance and reinforces the state’s efforts to improve regulatory oversight of food manufacturing establishments.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department indicated that similar inspections and enforcement activities will continue across the state to strengthen food safety compliance, improve manufacturing standards, and protect public health.
Authorities have urged all packaged drinking water manufacturers to adhere strictly to statutory requirements and maintain the highest standards of hygiene and quality to ensure safe drinking water reaches consumers across Uttar Pradesh.
