FSSAI License for Packaged Drinking Water and Beverage Business in India

The Packaged Water and Beverage Market in India

India's packaged water market is valued at over ₹20,000 crore and growing at 15% annually. The beverage market (juices, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, health drinks) is even larger. Both segments are highly regulated because contaminated water and beverages directly impact public health.

Types of FSSAI Licenses for Water/Beverage Businesses

Business Type	FSSAI Category	Additional Certification
Packaged drinking water manufacturer	State/Central License	BIS ISI Mark (IS 14543) — Mandatory
Natural mineral water manufacturer	Central License	BIS ISI Mark (IS 13428) — Mandatory
Fruit juice manufacturer	State License	FSSAI compliance only
Carbonated soft drink manufacturer	State/Central License	FSSAI compliance only
Energy drink manufacturer	Central License	Product approval from FSSAI (if proprietary)

BIS ISI Certification — A Special Requirement for Water

Unlike most food products, packaged drinking water and natural mineral water are compulsorily BIS ISI-marked products. This means you cannot sell packaged water without a BIS license even if you have an FSSAI license. The BIS certification process:

1. Apply to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) for product certification
2. BIS inspects your manufacturing facility and water source
3. Water samples are tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory
4. BIS grants a license to use the ISI Mark on a specific product standard
5. Annual surveillance audits are conducted to maintain the license

BIS Certification takes approximately 90–120 days and costs ₹15,000–₹50,000 in government fees plus testing charges.

FSSAI Water Quality Standards (IS 14543)

Packaged drinking water must meet these minimum quality parameters:

• pH: 6.5 – 8.5
• Turbidity: Not more than 1 NTU
• Total dissolved solids (TDS): Not more than 500 mg/litre
• Nitrate: Not more than 45 mg/litre
• Total hardness: Not more than 200 mg/litre
• E. coli / Coliforms: Absent in 100 ml
• No added flavours, colours, or sweeteners allowed in standard packaged drinking water

Water Treatment Systems Required

To meet FSSAI and BIS standards, your water treatment plant must include:

• Pre-filtration (sand filter, activated carbon filter)
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) system
• UV (ultraviolet) disinfection
• Ozonation (for packaged water — mandatory)
• Microfiltration (0.2 micron membrane)
• Automated filling and capping under clean room conditions

FSSAI Requirements for Fruit Juice Manufacturers

Fruit juice manufacturers have specific FSSAI requirements beyond the standard license:

• Fruit juice content must meet minimum standards (e.g., 85% fruit juice in "100% fruit juice" claims)
• "Nectar" products must have minimum 25–50% fruit content depending on the fruit
• "Fruit drink" products need minimum 10% fruit content
• Only permitted preservatives (ascorbic acid, citric acid) allowed
• No added colours in pure fruit juices
• Label must clearly state "contains added sugar" if sugar is added

Investment Required for Starting a Packaged Water Plant

Component	Cost (approx.)
RO + UV + Ozone treatment plant	₹5–15 lakh
Filling and capping machine	₹3–10 lakh
Bottle/cap manufacturing or procurement	₹2–5 lakh (working capital)
Factory space (500–1000 sq ft)	₹10,000–30,000/month rent
FSSAI + BIS licensing fees	₹30,000–₹80,000
Total initial investment	₹15–35 lakh

Conclusion

Starting a packaged water or beverage business in India requires both FSSAI licensing and, for water products, BIS ISI certification. The process is rigorous because water safety is critical to public health. However, the market opportunity is massive and the business can be highly profitable once all certifications are in place. Contact Velco Legal India for expert assistance with your FSSAI license and to navigate the BIS certification process.