Baramulla, Oct 13: Authorities in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have banned the sale of packaged drinking water under the brand name Snow Drop after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of arsenic beyond the permissible limit, posing a potential threat to public health.
According to an official order issued by the Office of the Assistant Commissioner/Designated Officer, Food Safety Baramulla, the action follows a detailed laboratory report that found the product unsafe for consumption. The packaged water, manufactured by M/S Aqua Impex Foods at Chakla, Janbazpora, Rafiabad, was found to contain arsenic levels exceeding the maximum prescribed limit under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
The order states that Food Safety Officer Dangiwacha had collected a sample of the Snow Drop 2-litre packaged drinking water (Batch No. 0062, Date of Packing: March 14, 2025, Use By: December 13, 2025), which was sent for analysis to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad. The report dated September 2, 2025, confirmed the water as “unsafe for human consumption” due to arsenic contamination.
“Consumption of packaged drinking water containing arsenic above the maximum prescribed limit may pose a threat to the health of consumers,” the order reads. It further notes that the manufacturing or sale of unsafe food products is strictly prohibited under Section 30(2)(a) of the FSSA, 2006.
Exercising powers under Section 36(3)(b) of the Act, Assistant Commissioner and Designated Officer for Food Safety Baramulla, Ijaz Iqbal, issued directions prohibiting the sale of Snow Drop water in the district until further orders.
Officials have cautioned shopkeepers and distributors against selling the banned product and urged the public to report any continued sale or storage of the contaminated water to the nearest Food Safety office. [KNT]
