FSSAI cracks down on Gujarat firm for selling 'alkaline water' with banned ingredient

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken enforcement action against a Gujarat-based manufacturer of 'alkaline water' after inspections revealed misbranding, labelling violations, and the use of a non-permitted ingredient, the regulator said on Thursday.

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The action, initiated by FSSAI's western regional office, followed a consumer complaint filed through the Food Safety Connect portal.

The complaint flagged the Food Business Operator's (FBO) failure to address grievances, prompting a post-licence inspection of the company's manufacturing unit in Savli, Vadodara.

Inspectors found that the product name was absent from the front of the packaging, ingredient declarations were missing, and black particles were visible inside the finished product, the FSSAI said in a statement.

Further technical scrutiny uncovered additional red flags - unexplained blackish-brown discolouration, the presence of sediments, and contradictory descriptions between the primary and secondary packaging.

Regulatory officials subsequently seized stocks worth approximately Rs 31.61 lakh and initiated formal proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of fulvic acid, a substance not permitted under FSSAI regulations.

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Investigations established that the ingredient had been introduced through the addition of black mineral substances and was not naturally present in the raw or processed water, confirming a clear violation of food safety norms.

FSSAI said it remains committed to ensuring all food products in the market are safe, wholesome, and accurately labelled.

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