DMC crackdown on illegal packaged drinking water

Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has taken a serious note of what it called “a disturbing trend” of rampant sale of 20-litre packaged drinking water in the market which were without any company label.
Informing this through a press statement, DMC chief executive officer (CEO) Thungchanbemo Tungoe noted that such practice was in direct violation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, which mandated that all packaged drinking water ought to carry specific, verifiable information on its label.
The CEO of DMC said that as per the guidelines, every packaged drinking water container must clearly display product name (packaged drinking water” or “natural mineral water”)-FSSAI logo and licence number; BIS certification mark (ISI Mark); name and address of the manufacturer; batch or lot number; date of manufacturing and best before date(use); net quantity; nutritional information and list of ingredients (if any additives or minerals are added).
The CEO of DMC asserted that absence of mandatory information not only violated the law but also posed a potential risk to public health, since that prevents s traceability and quality verification.
The CEO warned that failure to comply with this directive will result in strict action being taken as per the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant guidelines.
The CEO also reminded that not only packaged water but any consumable products or goods, which did not have FSSAI logo and licence number must immediately cease being sold in the market.
He also informed that regular checks would be conducted within its jurisdiction, and if violations were found, strict action would be taken as per the law.
The DMC has directed street vendors, food stalls, bakeries and restaurant to maintain proper hygiene standards while handling and serving food, proper hygiene standards include cleanliness of utensils, proper storage of food items, and adherence to health and safety protocols to ensure public safety and well-being.
In the light of ban on sale of the unlabelled packaged water, DMC has directed all distributors, suppliers, and retailers to immediately cease the sale and distribution of 20-litre water tanks, or any consumable goods, without proper labelling within its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, DMC has appealed to the public to purchase only properly labelled packaged drinking water and consumable products to ensure safety and quality, and to report any violations to DMC office for prompt action.