The new provision will permit food businesses to use coloured bottles for water packaging, but the packaging material must adhere to the food-grade requirement under the FSS Act.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations to include the provisions of coloured bottles for packaged water.
The new provision will permit food businesses to use coloured bottles for water packaging, but the packaging material must adhere to the food-grade requirement under the FSS Act.
This amendment pertains to regulation number 4 of the packaging regulations which states the specifications for primary food packaging. The amendment is proposed under the sub-regulation 4 of regulation 4 regarding the plastic materials intended to come in contact with food products.
The sub-regulation 4 has 4 clauses stating the requirements and their stipulations.
Under clause A- Plastic materials used to manufacture containers for storing or packing the food items shall comply with either of the Indian Standards specifications as specified in Schedule – III:
Provided that Drinking Water (both Mineral and Packaged Water) shall be packed in colourless, tamper-proof and transparent bottles or containers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conforming to IS: 10151 or polyethylene (PE) conforming to IS: 10146 or polypropylene (PP) conforming to IS: 10910 or polyalkylene terephthalate (PET and PBT) conforming to IS: 12252 or polystyrene conforming to IS: 10142 or food-grade polycarbonate conforming to IS: 14971 or sterile glass bottles only.
Provided also that all colorants or pigments as specified in Indian Standard IS: 9833 may be allowed in plastic containers of 5L and above made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polycarbonate used for packaging of mineral and packaged drinking water. The transparency of the containers in light transmittance shall not be less than 85 percent.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of Equinox Labs, said, “Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting the unique specificities of water, ensuring it remains pure and microbiologically safe. The transparency factor will certainly make it easier for consumers to spot and clean the stains off.”
Bhadri continues, “All packaging material used for bottled water must comply with FSSAI guidelines, including regulations related to food contact materials.”