Pick packaged water at your own risk

KOCHI: Whom would you believe when question are being raised about the safety of packaged drinking water - Council for Food Research and Development (CFRD), Konni or the regional analytical laboratory at Kakkanad. The former agency found the presence of E coli while the latter certified that bottled water manufactured in the district is safe.
Three months ago, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited CFRD lab tested 16 samples of packaged drinking water and concluded that 90% of the samples tested in the district, including leading brands, are unfit for drinking purpose.
Recently, samples of packaged drinking water were collected from 36 units in the district as per the directive of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It was done as part of a nation-wide survey to check quality of packaged drinking water sold in the country. In sharp contrast to the previous report, the regional analytical laboratory certified that bottled drinking water manufactured here is safe. The results have raised a question mark over the capability of the regional analytical laboratory to conduct biological tests with many food safety officials expressing doubts over the result. "It is shocking that all results are perfect. It is difficult to believe that all plants have taken corrective measures within three months. It is not known that whether the lab is equipped to conduct biological tests. There are previous instances where the lab had given inaccurate reports," said a senior food safety official.
According to sources within the food safety department, apart from result mismatches, there was also much delay in getting results from the lab. They said that many of the equipment in the lab are not functional. "The facilities need to be upgraded here so that it can conduct tests as per the parameters set by the Food Safety and Standards Act," said another food safety official.
State food safety commissioner Biju Prabhakar said that he is yet to receive the report and will peruse the matter soon as he receives it.

‘Mineral’ water units under scanner

At whose cost?: Thirst-quencher on the move
Food Safety officials send samples to laboratory for quality analysis

Over 30 mineral water plants in Madurai, which are supplying drinking water to homes and offices in cans, have come under the Food Safety Wing’s scanner.
Water samples were collected from their premises during surprise checks conducted recently and sent to the Government Food Laboratory in Chennai for analysis. A team of officials from the Food Safety Wing in the district conducted inspections in mineral water processing and packaging units on instruction from the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration.
The action comes following doubts raised by the authorities over the quality and genuineness of branded ‘can water’ being supplied for public consumption at various places in the state. Laboratory analysis will reveal whether all samples of drinking water meet the prescribed quality standards or not. Based on the results, penal action like sealing of the plants will be initiated.
“Since water is for public consumption, we are focusing on mineral water plants. More than 30 water samples have been sent for lab analysis and the results are expected in 15 days,” J. Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai District, told The Hindu on Saturday.
In cases where ‘negative’ results came for packaged drinking water, the officials would initiate action against the drinking water suppliers under the Food Safety and Adulteration Act, she said.
Ms. Suguna stated that severe action would be taken against those selling adulterated food products to the public, and special attention was being given to tea dust and cooking oil which had high level of adulteration.
“We have now started with mineral water and our food safety officers have been asked to inspect all food items in the coming days. Drinking water suppliers should have proper processing and reverse osmosis plants,” she added.
Ms. Suguna noted that similar inspections would be conducted in rural areas as well. Those who wanted to complain about adulteration of food products could contact the Designated Officer for Food Safety on mobile number: 98423-03625, she said.