Hello Mumbai City Desk
FDA SEALS ILLEGAL WATER BOTTLING PLANT IN THANE AFTER ACTIVIST’S TIP-OFF
THANE: In a major crackdown on unauthorized food and beverage operators, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raided and sealed an illegal water bottling plant operating in Thane West. The action followed a tip-off from prominent social activist Dr. Binu Varghese, who exposed the sale of potentially unsafe packaged water being sold to the public for as little as ₹10 per 20-liter can.
A specialized FDA team—comprising Food Safety Officers (FSOs) Smt. M.H. Dhavale, Smt. M.S. Nagargoje, and Shri R.D. Akrupe—executed the raid at M/s Lifespring, located at Bamnali Pada, Owala Village, near the Blue Roof Club off Ovala Naka, Thane West.
Mass Production Without Regulatory Oversight
During the raid FDA Officers discovered a large-scale operation functioning completely outside the purview of law. The establishment was found to be operating without a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, violating Sections 26 and 27 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which mandate strict quality control and licensing for food and beverage operators.
During the operation, officials seized 85 jars containing 1,704 liters of “purified drinking water,” valued commercially at ₹5,112. Due to the severe lack of statutory documentation and potential health risks to consumers, the FDA team officially sealed the entire premises pending further legal investigation.
“The scale of this unauthorized operation poses a significant public health risk,” an official close to the investigation stated. “Selling drinking water without FSSAI clearance means there is absolutely no guarantee of filtration standards or hygiene.”
According to FDA Officers
The scale of the racket appears vast. During on-site interrogation, employees reportedly confessed that the facility was distributing between 700 to 800 of the 20-liter water cans daily to unsuspecting local residents and commercial establishments.
The crackdown has reportedly sent shockwaves through local illegal suppliers. Sources close to the development indicate that the FDA has placed at least two other similar outlets under close scrutiny. Operating within a strict 100-meter radius of the raided site, these outlets are allegedly run by individuals identified as Mr. Vicky Thakur and Mr. Sanjay Patil, both functioning within the jurisdiction of the Kasarvadavali police.
The entire operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Assistant Commissioner (Food) and Acting Joint Commissioner (Food), Shri P. S. Nalawade. Authorities have confirmed that stringent legal proceedings will follow, and sustained drives will continue to flush out unauthorized water packaging units in the Thane region.
