FSSAI seizes ‘alkaline water’ stock worth Rs 31 lakh, finds banned substances

New Delhi: FSSAI Laboratory tests found the presence of fulvic acid, which is not allowed in packaged drinking water as per current food safety standards, and the company seized stock of the branded ‘alkaline water’ product worth over Rs 31 lakh. Officials inspected the company’s manufacturing facility in Saveli, Gujarat after consumers lodged complaints through the Food Safety Connect portal. During the inspection, food safety officers found a number of irregularities, including missing ingredient details, no product name on the front label and visible black particles inside the bottle. Officials also reported the presence of sediment and an unexplained dark brown color in the product. Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of fulvic acid, which investigators said came from added black minerals and was not naturally present in the water. FSSAI said it has initiated proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and reiterated that packaged drinking water sold in the market must comply with safety and labeling standards.