Cracking the whip on supply of unsafe drinking water, the state's food safety officials have seized around 260 unhygienic and unlabeled water cans in the city in three days.
The drive began with four teams of officials from the department of food safety and drug administration being posted in and around Koyambedu, which is a gateway for units to ferry water cans from Tiruvallur district into the city.
Fifteen vehicles were intercepted and 80 cans seized for having no labels. Water in around 30 containers was found to be unfit for consumption while some cans had other manufacturing issues.
The department undertook similar inspections in Koyambedu, Egmore, Saligramam and Korukkupet and seized 106 cans after stopping 29 vehicles.
R Kathiravan, Designated, Designated food safety officer, Chennai, said, "In the coming days, we will conduct raids at retail shops and other units that sell water."
The inspection comes close on the heels of a similar drive by Chennai Corporation's health department. Sanitary inspectors raided food stalls operating in unhygienic conditions and seized around 150 water cans, 12 water bottles and 7,000 sachets.
Food safety officials say the number of unlicensed units selling water is likely to grow this summer as many licensed manufacturers have cut production because of depleting groundwater sources.
K Rajaram, chairman of Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturers Association, said the average treatment of packaged drinking water in most units had dipped by close to 15% in the last one month.
Officials say while contamination of water sold by licensed manufacturers who are required to undertake at least four types of filtration happens at the filling and packaging level, other violations, including misbranding and repeatedly reusing containers, happen at the distribution point.
N Murali, Patron, Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Association, said, "Only 10% of the manufacturers directly market the water. Most of us engage middlemen."
The stickers on the cans may be of one brand, but the water inside could be of another, or worse, it could be just tap water. The can may be refilled only 35 times, but sometimes they are overused, he acknowledged.
He said, "It is a concern for us, but it is not happening at an alarming level."
Diageo India, one of the country’s leading alcohol beverage company, has announced their launch of Godawan Estuary Premium Water, in collaboration with Estuary Water.
The water will be available across all major outlets of Indian markets later this year.
In line with Diageo India’s vision of crafting elevated experiences, Godawan Estuary Premium Water represents a new chapter in the brand’s journey toward offering high-quality lifestyle choices. The launch, in partnership with the Indian start-up Estuary, introduces water thoughtfully developed and designed to meet the exacting standards of discerning consumers.
This collaboration embodies a shared commitment to sophistication and precision, offering an exceptional accompaniment to every experience without altering their integrity.
Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer of Diageo India, said “It is our belief that even the simplest pleasures can be elevated through craftsmanship and care. This collaboration with Estuary Water represents a meeting of shared values; one that reflects the artistry and passion behind everything we do.”
Adding to this, Devasish Kamdar, Founder of Estuary Blending Water, said “Godawan Estuary Premium Water specially formulated in Scotland is a new category created for epicureans around the globe to enhance their moments. We look forward to this becoming the go to for all luxurious occasions and as we say - elevate your experiences with Estuary.”
Godawan Estuary Premium Water will be available across leading e-commerce platforms and retail outlets in India starting in December 2024. The brand will also host a luxury craft experience at Nahargarh Palace in Ranthambore at the end of the year. This exclusive three-day getaway will offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in modern luxury, with a focus on purposeful engagement and curated experiences.
As summer sets in, water bottling companies, beverage firms and sellers of packaged goods are facing the heat for their 'dual' MRP policy. More than half a dozen states have cracked down on companies that charge a higher MRP for their products in certain spaces like malls, airports and hotels.
While most of these states have served prosecution notices, Maharashtra legal metrology department has gone a step further and sought the state government's permission to take these companies to the consumer forum for unfair trade practices. It has also suggested fixing excise duty on the basis of highest MRP they charge for the same packaged item. Sources in the consumer affairs ministry said that states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have issued challans against erring companies.
Most of the major manufacturers of bottled packaged water have sought some relief from the ministry on dual MRP.
A ministry official, said, "Our responsibility is to protect consumer interest. There cannot be two MRPs for two types of consumers. Charging more than the MRP is illegal."
Last year, they had issued circulars asking states to ensure compliance of single MRP of all packaged items and stop overcharging by vendors.
Bisleri International, bottled water is looking to re-enter the soft drinks business early next year as part of its plans to clock a turnover of over Rs 2,000 crore by 2020.
The company, which is making a comeback in soft drinks segment after over two decades, has earmarked a budget of around Rs 100 crore for the new venture, reported PTI.
"Bisleri, as a company by 2020, should be more than Rs 2,000 crore. The growth will come with expansion of business (into new areas) such as soft drinks," R K Garg, Bisleri International Director mentioned.
During 2014-15 fiscal, Bisleri had a turnover of about Rs 700 crore and is growing at a range of 20-25 per cent, he said. Now, "We have plans to launch soft drinks in early 2016. For expansion of the company, we have to diversify. We were in that business for a long time and now we are coming in that with different flavors", Garg said.
Bisleri promoter Ramesh Chauhan had sold five popular brands Thums Up, Limca, Gold Spot, Maaza and Citra to global beverage major Coca Cola in 1993. Both parties had entered into a non-compete agreement, which expired in 2008.
"There is no clash with it now", Garg said, adding that Bisleri International would invest around Rs 100 crore in rolling out the new soft drinks.
Company plans to introduce the soft drinks in lemon, spicy, mango and pina colada flavours. It is looking at manufacturing these products in at least its five locations. On the company's overall growth, Garg said the company expects an increase from non-metro markets. Presently, metro markets contribute around Rs 300 crore to Bisleri's total sales.
Moreover, Bisleri is also planning to ramp up production of Vedica and expand its export market.
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