(a) the number of companies in the country especially in Assam engaged in supplying bottled water;
(b) the number of such companies that are operating without an Indian Standards Institute (ISI) certification;
(c) whether the Government has taken any action against these companies;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) Whether the Government intend to raise the benchmark for bottled water in view of public health; and
(f) If so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) TO (f) OF REPLY TO LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 95 FOR 12/7/2004 REGARDING
CERTIFICATION FOR SUPPLY OF BOTTLED WATER
(a) : BIS has so far granted licences to use the BIS Standard Mark to 1122
manufacturing units out of which 8 are in the State of Assam.
(b) to (d): Packaged Natural Mineral Water and Packaged Drinking Water were
brought under Mandatory Certification Scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards
through Gazette Notification No. GSR 759(E) and GSR 760(E) with effect from 29th
March, 2001 issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act. According to these notifications, no person is authorized to
manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale Packaged Natural Mineral Water and Packaged
Drinking Water except under Bureau of Indian Standards Marks. Hence, the sale of the
Bottled Water by the manufacturers not having BIS Certification Marks Licence is illegal
and unauthorized under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The State Health
Authorities are required to take appropriate action against such manufacturers under the
provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules framed thereunder.
(e) & (f): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide Gazette Notification No.
GSR 554(E) dated 18th July, 2003 have already amended the limits for pesticide residues
in Packaged Drinking Water to the following limits w.e.f. 1st January, 2004:
(i) Pesticide residues considered Not more than 0.0001 mg./litre (The analysis individually shall be conducted by using Internationally established test methods meeting the residue limits specified herein).
(ii) Total Pesticide residues Not more than 0.0005 mg/litre (The analysis shall be conducted by using Internationally established test methods meeting the residue limits specified herein).