These units, each of which have spent at least Rs. 1 crore in capital
investment and another Rs. 1 lakh every year for BIS certification, are
being undercut by companies that exploit loopholes in Food Safety and
Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, according to Coimbatore Region Packaged
Drinking Water Manufacturers Association.
Certain companies avoid use of the words ‘packaged’ or ‘mineral’
drinking water to avoid meeting any standards even though they supply
the same product given by those adopting these words, Association
Secretary D. Suresh Kumar told The Hindu here on Saturday.
By using the words ‘herbal’ or ‘flavoured’ water, which have been
categorised as traditional food products under the FSSA and exempt from
standards, the companies are able to supply drinking water cheaply and
undercut others that follow all norms.
“Such firms typically set up an RO plant in a rented house premises and spend just around Rs. 2 to 3 lakh.
“There are at least 30 such plants operating in Tirupur alone.”
The public are not aware of the distinction between these approved and
unapproved companies and often buy the cheaper products, he says.
He said that of the 108 members of the association, 15 have leased out
their plants and 27 have become sick and are likely to close down.
Complaints
The association, he says, has lodged complaints with the Commissioner of
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the statutory body that
enforces the FSSA, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) asking them
to close the loopholes.
Mr. Suresh Kumar says they will be stepping up their campaign with the Central Government and create awareness among the public.
If no action was forthcoming, he said that these companies had little
choice but to surrender their BIS certification as following these norms
was proving futile.
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