Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 8: Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has cautioned consumers about the widespread availability of unsafe packaged mineral water bottles in the state and called for greater vigilance when purchasing them.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the minister said that several packaged water brands currently in the market had failed safety tests, raising serious concerns. “Though packaged water is available everywhere under various brand names, many do not meet the required safety standards when tested,” he said.
The Health Department, he said, is systematically collecting legal samples from all brands of packaged water to facilitate legal action where necessary. "Once the testing is completed, appropriate measures will be taken against companies found violating norms," he added.
Highlighting the dangers, Minister Rao said that while some substandard samples merely lacked essential minerals, others were found contaminated with harmful chemicals and bacteria, posing significant health risks.
The minister further informed that the Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, along with the Food Safety Division of the Karnataka government, has intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts.
Under a special drive conducted in February 2025, 296 samples of packaged drinking water were collected for testing. Of the 255 samples analysed so far, 72 were found safe, 95 unsafe, and 88 deemed substandard. Analysis of the remaining samples is ongoing.
Similar checks were carried out on other food products. In the case of fried green peas, 115 samples were collected to detect artificial colouring. Among these, 46 samples were found safe, while 69 were found unsafe.
The department also tested 49 samples of ghee, with six samples found safe; the remaining are still under analysis. Of 43 samples of khova, nine have been tested, resulting in three substandard findings and six samples being cleared as safe.
Among 231 paneer samples, 32 have been analysed, with two samples found unsafe. Testing of sweets showed two unsafe samples among 198 tested. Out of 119 khara (namkeen) mixture samples, four were found unsafe.
Regarding beverages, the department collected samples from 46 local juice brands, 39 ice candy manufacturers, and 107 ice cream producers for quality checks.
Minister Rao also revealed that inspections of 92 food production and sales units — including juice, ice candy, and ice cream units — led to notices being issued for violations. Additionally, six units were fined a total of Rs 38,000.
The department continues its vigilance efforts, and further enforcement action will be taken based on pending analysis results, he added.