Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Food and Drugs Administration of Jammu and Kashmir has suspended the licence of ARWAH Packaged Drinking Water, located at Kakan Maran in Budgam, after finding serious lapses in food safety at the unit. The suspension is effective until further orders, and the unit has been directed to cease all operations.
The action follows an inspection carried out on October 5, which found a series of deficiencies. Inspectors recorded inadequate testing of water quality at the facility, missing statutory records and defective bottle-sealing equipment that caused leakage. Together, these findings raised concerns over quality control and hygiene at the plant, which produces water meant for direct consumption by the public.
A show-cause notice was issued to the unit on October 7, giving its management an opportunity to explain the violations and to take corrective measures. The unit failed to respond to the notice. In the absence of any reply, the Designated Officer, Food Safety, Budgam, suspended the licence and ordered the unit to stop all operations until further orders.
Packaged drinking water is subject to strict safety standards because contamination can cause waterborne illnesses that affect large numbers of people at once. Regular testing is the main safeguard, since it shows whether the water meets prescribed quality parameters before it reaches consumers. Statutory records are equally important, because they allow regulators to trace batches, verify that testing has been carried out and hold operators accountable. Faulty sealing equipment is a further risk, as leakage can expose the product to outside contaminants and undermine the integrity of the packaging.
The suspension shows that the Food and Drugs Administration is prepared to act firmly where units ignore regulatory requirements and fail to answer notices. For consumers, it is a reminder that licences issued to food businesses carry conditions which must be met continuously, not just at the time of approval. A unit that does not keep to testing schedules or maintain records cannot assure the public that its product is safe.
The Administration has urged consumers to remain alert and to report suspected unsafe or adulterated food products. Complaints can be sent to cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in. Residents who notice leaking bottles, broken seals, unusual taste or odour, or labels that raise doubts about the origin of a product should avoid using it and bring the matter to the notice of the authorities. Public reporting remains an important part of enforcement, particularly for products that are sold widely and consumed daily.
