Question : PRODUCTION OF PACKAGED WATER

(a) the details of companies engaged in the production and sale of packaged natural/mineral drinking water with the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certification along with the norms fixed by BIS in this regard;

(b) whether the Government has received numerous complaints against the said companies regarding violation of standards in production and packaging of drinking water;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon indicating the number of such cases reported during the last three years and the current year, company-wise;

(d) whether a recent study by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has revealed high level of bromate, chlorite and chlorates in packaged water due to absence of BIS norms in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to amend BIS norms for packaged drinking water to specify the permissible limit of bromate, chlorite and chlorate as per World Health Organisation stipulated limits and if so, the details thereof along with the suggestions received in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)

(a): The details of companies engaged in the production and sale of packaged natural/ mineral drinking water with the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certification is at Appendix -I. The norms for Packaged Natural Mineral Water have been laid down in Indian Standards IS 13428:2005.

(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. The details are given in Appendix - II.

(d): Yes, Madam. As per the study of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre published in Current Science, Vol. 108, No. 1, 10 January 2015, packaged drinking water (500 ml) of 18 different commercial brands were analysed for bromate, chlorite and chlorate. In 27% samples, Bromate was found to be higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value, whereas chlorite and chlorate levels were well within the guideline value recommended by WHO.

(e): The issue of specifying limits for Bromates, Chlorites and Chlorates in Packaged Drinking Water was considered in the ? Drinks and Drinking Water? Sectional Committee of BIS on 6 Feb 2015. The Committee has decided in principle to include the maximum permissible limits for Bromate in the Indian Standard in respect of Packaged Drinking Water (other than Packaged Natural Mineral Water) as per IS 14543: 2004 in line with the WHO guidelines for drinking water. The proposal will be placed in the public inviting comments of stakeholders.

As far as specifying the limits for Chlorates and Chlorites is concerned, it has been decided by the Committee to defer the matter for further deliberations.