Six fake mineral water units sealed in Rajkot

The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) and the food and drugs department of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) have raided several water pouch manufacturing units in Rajkot.

Six such units have been sealed and more such raids are likely to be conducted soon, P P Rathod, health officer, RMC, said.

The move follows complaints about the sale of fake ISI-marked water pouches in the region.

According to BIS data, 36 brands of mineral water have been granted licence for the ISI mark in Rajkot. However, many producers of mineral water are using fabricated ISI marks on their brand to sell drinking water.

The main centres of operation for these unscrupulous dealers are near railway and bus stations and other public places. These fake water pouches are normally of 250 ml.

According to government rules, it is compulsory for any individual, establishment or company connected with the production and sale of drinking water to obtain ISI mark registration.

The ISI registration holder has to follow the specified process prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A BIS official said mineral water with the ISI mark has to pass through several chemical analyses and micro-biological tests. For this, a mineral water producer has to spend Rs 1000 a day.

He also has to pay Rs 85,000 for the annual licence fee and sales tax and income tax on his business.

"Water is essential for human existence and people buy mineral water thinking that it will be definitely pure and hygienic. The malpractice of supplying water which is dangerous to the health of the consumer, must be sternly dealt with," said Jay Patel, an activist of district consumer forum.