Food authorities in Uttar Pradesh have launched a special enforcement drive to crack down on illegal packaged drinking water plants in the state. The move comes after two plants in Gautam Buddh Nagar were discovered to be bottling water under names deceptively similar to the popular mineral water brand, Bisleri. The plants, Gupta Enterprises and Parametro Wasser Technology Private Limited, were found to be operating without valid food licenses and were shut down pending legal proceedings.
The raids, carried out on May 27, uncovered a total of 13,108 one-liter bottles of water labeled as “Bilseri” and “Blesseri”, which closely resemble the Bisleri brand. Samples were collected for laboratory testing, and the remaining bottles were sealed. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officials warned that such illegal operations will face strict penalties and that similar inspections will continue across all districts in the coming weeks.
The enforcement drive aims to curb the proliferation of counterfeit and unregulated bottled water brands in the market, which poses significant health risks to consumers. Officials are concerned about the growing number of fake and unlicensed water brands, and the use of deceptively similar names could constitute both public health violations and trademark infringement. Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., the original manufacturer of the Bisleri brand, has not yet commented on the imitation products.
The FSDA officials have stated that all collected samples will be sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis, and further legal action will follow based on the test results. The special enforcement drive covering the entire state of Uttar Pradesh is a significant move to ensure the safety and quality of packaged drinking water in the market. The authorities are taking strict action against such illegal operations, and the drive is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with inspections to be carried out across all districts.
The crackdown on illegal packaged drinking water plants is a welcome move, as it will help to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with unregulated and counterfeit products. The enforcement drive is also expected to boost the confidence of consumers in the packaged drinking water market, as they can be assured that the products they buy are safe and genuine. Overall, the special enforcement drive is a step in the right direction, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the packaged drinking water industry in Uttar Pradesh.