The Great Bottled Hoax

People are drinking more and more bottled water in India because many consider it safer than the unhygienic public water supply available. The truth behind the health hazards and safety standards of even trusted mineral water’ brands are hidden by the hype and advertising

- By SNEHA RICHHARIYA

In early October this year, Jitendra Pratap Singh, district magistrate at Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district saw a counterfeit water bottle labelled “Billseri” on his table during an official meeting. He immediately ordered a thorough probe and directed the food safety department in Baghpat to verify the authenticity of the mineral water bottles and take action. Upon investigation, the bottles lacked the mandatory FSSAI seal and were traced to a shop in Gauripur Nivada village in Baghpat district. Over 2,600 fake bottles were seized and destroyed, and the warehouse was sealed.

The district administration emphasised the responsibility of private firms to prevent brand misuse and warned the public about health risks posed by counterfeit products.

This incident sheds light on a growing issue beyond just counterfeit products: the quality and safety of the water we consume. While authorities focus on cracking down on fake brands, there is a broader conversation emerging about the water purification process itself and what we may be losing in the quest for “clean” drinking water. Beyond contamination, even legitimate bottled water may fail to provide the essential nutrients our bodies need. This brings us to a deeper concern about the hidden impact of modern water purification.

The Mineral DileMMa