What Is ‘Packaged’ Drinking Water?

It is water derived from varied sources including surface, ground or sea and subjected to treatment like decantation, filtration (including aeration filtration with membrane filter, cartridge filter, activated carbon filtration), demineralisation, mineralisation and reverse osmosis. The packaged water is also disinfected before being packed so that it does not get contaminated until consumed within a specific time. The packaged drinking water shall be filled in sealed containers of various compositions, forms and capacities that are suitable for direct consumption without further treatment. In case demineralisation is a part of the treatment process, the ingredients used shall be of food-grade quality and conform to the requirements set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and rules framed thereunder.