SRINAGAR: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has suspended the operating licence of Packaged Drinking Water at Kakan Maran in central Kashmir’s Budgam district over alleged violations of food safety standards.
The action was taken on Tuesday after an inspection by a Food Safety Officer identified shortcomings in water quality testing, monitoring procedures, food safety management and mandatory record-keeping, the department said.
According to the FDA, the unit failed to produce the required documents for verification. Inspectors also found defects in the bottle-capping and sealing mechanism, leading to leakage.
The department said the deficiencies raised concerns about the unit’s quality-control systems, hygienic manufacturing practices and the safety of its packaged drinking water.
A show-cause notice was issued to the Food Business Operator, seeking an explanation for the violations. However, the operator did not respond within the prescribed period, the FDA said.
Subsequently, the Designated Officer, Food Safety, Budgam, ordered the suspension of the unit’s licence, numbered 11026070000022, under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The suspension will remain in force until further orders, and the unit has been directed to stop all activities at the premises.
The FDA said packaged drinking water is classified as a high-risk food category, requiring regular testing, stringent quality controls, proper documentation and adherence to prescribed safety standards.
Consumers have been advised to report suspected unsafe or adulterated food products to the department at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
