FDA seizes packaged water worth Rs 10 lakh in Gangapur

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized packaged drinking water worth more than Rs 10 lakh from a water bottling unit in Gangapur tehsil on late Monday night.

The raid by the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar FDA team revealed alleged violations, including operation without mandatory permissions and sale of products without a licence.According to officials, the raid targeted a packaged drinking water manufacturing facility located on the Kasoda-Ranjangaon Road in the district's Gangapur-Vaijapur region. A preliminary inquiry by officials indicated that the unit was allegedly manufacturing and marketing packaged drinking water without obtaining the required statutory clearances.

The officials' inspection alleged misleading practices and violations of food safety regulations.Under the supervision of Food Safety Officer (FSO) P.P. Surase, the team collected five samples of packaged drinking water for laboratory analysis. A legal action has been initiated under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. The entire water stock will remain under seizure until sample examinations.

The FDA records identified the food business operator and quality in-charge of the unit as Vinod Govind Pawar (32). The inspection was part of a drive against unlicensed food and beverage manufacturers. Officials said that lab reports of the samples would play a crucial role in determining further action, including possible prosecution and penalties for confirmed violations.Officials stated that action will be taken against any food operators for violating license norms and compromising consumer safety, urging consumers to purchase packaged water from authorised manufacturers. and to verify details such as licence numbers and mandatory declarations on product labels before use.