Of 242 samples tested, 146 substandard, 57 unsafe in microbiological testing
Directions to immediately halt production of units with unsafe samples
Notice for improvement to substandard units; they must comply with prescribed quality standards
Units that fail to improve despite being given the prescribed opportunity will face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act
Lucknow, October 2026 : To provide safe and quality packaged drinking water in the state, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has taken strict steps. In the laboratory tests of over 242 samples taken during a special inspection drive at manufacturing units of packaged drinking water and packaged mineral water, 146 samples were found substandard and 57 samples were found unsafe in microbiological testing. Following these results, the department has issued directions for action against the concerned units.
Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr Roshan Jacob, in an order issued on 13 October, has directed that the food licenses of manufacturing units linked to unsafe samples be suspended and their production be stopped immediately. Meanwhile, units found with substandard samples have been asked, through a notice for improvement, to remove the deficiencies and ensure compliance with the prescribed quality standards.
Action to be taken on the basis of inspection reports
The department has directed all concerned Assistant Commissioners (Food) to take action in each unit's case as per rules, on the basis of the laboratory inspection report. The objective is not merely to bring out the lapses, but also to ensure compliance with quality standards in drinking water manufacturing, so that there is no compromise with consumers' health.
Lapses are based on microbiological reports
Secretary and Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob said that water is a commodity that a consumer buys with trust in its purity and safety. In such a situation, any kind of contamination in water directly affects consumer confidence. The lapses that have come to light in this case are based on microbiological reports, which revealed the presence of harmful microorganisms such as E. coli, coliform bacteria, yeast and mold. Keeping this in mind, the department has taken a strict stance in this matter, because such violations directly endanger public health and also violate the prescribed regulatory standards.
Production to restart only after passing inspection
As per the guidelines issued earlier, units found with unsafe samples will first have to make the necessary improvements. After this, they will have to get five batches of the product tested under the Test Of Scheme. Each batch will include 1,000 bottles. Permission to resume production can be granted only if the samples are found to conform to the prescribed standards in the tests.
Meanwhile, units found with substandard samples are, as per provision, to be given one week to remove the deficiencies. Along with removing the causes for the samples being found substandard, these units will have to get samples of three batches tested under the Test of Scheme and ensure improvement in quality.
Physical verification of improvements
FSDA has clarified that after the deficiencies in the units are removed, the Assistant Commissioner (Food) of the concerned division will visit the site to physically verify the improvements and send a report to the headquarters. Units that do not improve despite being given the prescribed opportunity will face legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This step by the department is important in the direction of strengthening monitoring of packaged drinking water quality and curbing the production of unsafe products.
Unsafe samples found in 39 districts
According to the list, the units linked to unsafe samples are located in 39 districts of the state. Ghaziabad and Hapur had the highest, with four unsafe samples each. Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ayodhya had three each, while Lakhimpur Kheri, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Bijnor, Jaunpur, Hathras, Shravasti and Siddharthnagar had two unsafe samples each. In addition, one unsafe sample each was found in Hardoi, Amethi, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar, Kanpur Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Baghpat, Moradabad, Rampur, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Chandauli, Varanasi, Aligarh, Farrukhabad, Bahraich, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Jhansi, Agra and Lucknow.
Chandauli has the most substandard samples, at 12
Chandauli tops the list of substandard samples, where 12 samples failed to meet the prescribed quality standards. Ayodhya, Barabanki, Ghaziabad and Jaunpur had eight each, Kanpur Nagar seven, and Agra and Bareilly six each. Prayagraj and Varanasi had five each, while Gorakhpur and Hapur had four each. Azamgarh, Baghpat, Ballia, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hathras, Kushinagar, Mathura and Unnao had three substandard samples each. Meanwhile, two samples each did not conform to standards in Aligarh, Banda, Bijnor, Budaun, Deoria, Firozabad, Hamirpur, Kannauj, Shahjahanpur and Shravasti. In addition, one substandard sample each was found in Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Auraiya, Bahraich, Balrampur, Basti, Bhadohi, Bulandshahr, Chitrakoot, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Kaushambi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mau, Meerut, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Pratapgarh and Shamli.
