Date: July 19, 2023
In a recent operation carried out by officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), packaged drinking water units in Madurai and Kanniyakumari districts were raided, resulting in the confiscation of significant quantities of packaged drinking water and counterfeit labels.
The BIS Joint Director, Hemalatha Panicker, issued a press release on Tuesday, providing details of the raids conducted on July 17th and 18th in the respective districts.
In Kanniyakumari district, the officials conducted a search at a premises located in Kattuvilai, opposite Arunachala School, Friday Market. During the raid, a large quantity of drinking water bottles with various brand names, packed in two-liter and 20-liter PET containers, was seized. It was discovered that the labels affixed to these bottles were counterfeit.
Continuing their efforts, on July 18th, the officials conducted another search in a private premises located in Senthur Nagar, Alanganallur Road, Pothumbu, Madurai district. Here, they discovered around 3,100 packaged drinking water bottles branded as Arbro Aqua, packed in 2-liter, 1-liter, 500 ml, and 300 ml PET bottles. These bottles were found to bear labels with fake ISI marks.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the authorities revealed that in both instances, the accused individuals were involved in manufacturing packaged drinking water without a valid BIS (ISI MARK) certification, thereby violating Section 17 of the BIS Act 2016.
The BIS, taking proactive measures to combat the distribution of counterfeit goods, initiated these search operations. Such actions aim to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the packaged drinking water industry, ensuring adherence to established standards.
Counterfeit products pose a significant risk to public health and safety, and the BIS remains dedicated to preventing the circulation of fake goods within the market. Further investigations are expected to shed light on the extent of this illicit operation and bring those responsible to justice.
The BIS continues to work diligently to safeguard consumer interests and maintain the quality and authenticity of essential products.