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According to the minister, a total of 102 packaged drinking water units were inspected across the state.
Of the 12 units shut down, three were in the Mysuru region, while the others were located in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Bidar and Davanagere.
The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has launched a statewide crackdown on packaged drinking water units, shutting down 12 establishments for serious violations during a two-day inspection drive conducted on October 29 and 30.
The special enforcement drive was carried out by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) on the directions of Health Minister U.T. Khader to prevent the sale of contaminated and unsafe packaged drinking water.
According to the minister, a total of 102 packaged drinking water units were inspected across the state. Officials collected 69 water samples and sent them to government laboratories for quality testing. Notices were also issued to 53 units and business operators for various violations.
The inspections revealed several irregularities, including production under unhygienic conditions, operating without a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence, the absence of water quality analysis reports and labelling violations. Officials also found food-handling staff without valid medical certificates and units operating without pest control certificates.
Of the 12 units shut down, three were in the Mysuru region, while the others were located in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Bidar and Davanagere.
The establishments shut down include SMR Aqua Minerals in Mulbagal, Kolar; S.P. Food and Beverages in Hassan; Avanti Industries and Om Shakthi Minerals in Madanayakanahalli, Bengaluru Urban; Aqua Refresh and Nandi Food and Beverages in Kalaburagi; Sai Ram Food Beverages in Bidar; Dalia Beverages in Mysuru Rural; Shri Devi Enterprises and Shri Durga Enterprises in Mysuru; Chiranthan Food and Beverages in Davanagere; and M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural.
While several units were shut down over unhygienic manufacturing conditions and the absence of mandatory licences, Aqua Refresh in Kalaburagi was closed for allegedly refusing to cooperate with inspecting officials. At M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli, officials seized 82 cases of packaged drinking water over labelling violations.
On October 30, the second day of the operation, officials inspected 57 units, collected 37 water samples and issued notices to 29 establishments. Eight units were shut down that day for serious violations.
Khader said units whose water samples fail laboratory tests would face stringent legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Emphasising the importance of safe drinking water, the minister said the enforcement drive would continue across all districts of Karnataka and warned that violations would invite strict action.
He also urged consumers to check the FSSAI licence number, ISI mark, manufacturing date and seal integrity before purchasing packaged drinking water. Consumers have also been encouraged to report violations through the QR code provided by the department.
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Ask News18The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department shut down 12 packaged drinking water establishments due to serious violations such as unhygienic conditions, operating without a valid FSSAI licence, lack of water quality reports, and labelling violations.
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Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R…Read More
October 30, 2026, 10:09 pm IST
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