Packaged Drinking explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulations 2.10.6 to 2.10.9 cover water and soft drinks: carbonated water, caffeinated beverages, non-carbonated water-based drinks and coconut neera (2.10.6), natural mineral water (2.10.7), packaged drinking water other than mineral water (2.10.8) and purified drinking water from vending machines (2.10.9). Regulation 2.10.5 is printed as omitted. The packaged drinking water tables were changed by the First Amendment Regulations, 2025, in force 1 February 2026. Bottlers, plant operators and beverage brands can start with FSSAI registration for food manufacturers.
This article reads the text as amended up to 10 July 2025 (FSSAI chapter compendium consolidated to amendment 83 of 21 October 2024, and the First Amendment Regulations, 2025 of 10 July 2025, in force 1 February 2026). Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. A compendium is a reference consolidation; the Gazette text prevails.
Packaged drinking water must be clear, with six tables on microbiology, organoleptic and physical parameters, undesirable substances, toxic substances, radio-active residues and pesticide residues. From 1 February 2026 three entries read: total dissolved solids "75 to 500", calcium "10 to 75" and magnesium "5 to 30", substituted by the First Amendment Regulations, 2025. Caffeinated beverages must contain not less than 145 and not more than 300 mg of caffeine per litre. Additives follow Appendix A.
Regulation 2.10.6: non-alcoholic beverages
Carbonated water is water meeting the packaged drinking water or mineral water standard, impregnated with carbon dioxide under pressure, and may contain sugars, flavourings, colours, preservatives, acids, gums and a printed list of other substances. The clause prints caffeine not exceeding 145 parts per million, ester gum not exceeding 100 parts per million, quinine salts not exceeding 100 parts per million, and sweeteners within printed limits (saccharin sodium 100 ppm, acesulfame-K 300 ppm, aspartame 700 ppm, sucralose 300 ppm, neotame 33 ppm). Products with aspartame or other non-caloric sweeteners that need special labelling may be sold in returnable containers if the label states the provisions on the bottle, though not on the crown. Microbiology: total plate count per ml not more than 50 cfu, coliform count in 100 ml 0 cfu and yeast and mould count per ml not more than 2 cfu. Ester gum has its own identity and purity specification, with an arsenic limit of 3 ppm and lead of 10 ppm.
Caffeinated beverages (carbonated or not) need water meeting the packaged drinking water or mineral water standard, and a total caffeine content of not less than 145 mg per litre and not more than 300 mg per litre from all sources. Substances such as taurine (2000mg), D-glucurono-lactone (1200mg), inositol (100mg) and pantothenic acid (10mg) are permitted up to a printed maximum per day. The label carries a "consume not more than 500 ml per day" style declaration worked out from the per day quantity, "High Caffeine: X mg/serving size", and a caution "Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine".
Non-carbonated water based beverages may contain sugars, honey, salt, fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, spices and caffeine not exceeding 145 parts per million. Added herbs must meet the safety requirements and be declared on the label, and no psychotropic substance may be included.
Coconut neera is the sap from the unopened coconut spadix. Fresh coconut neera has °Brix of 14.0 minimum and processed (pasteurised) coconut neera 12.0, with pH, alcohol (not more than 0.5% v/v maximum) and sugar parameters.
Regulation 2.10.7: mineral water
Mineral water covers natural mineral water and natural spring water, in the carbonated, non-carbonated, decarbonated and fortified forms the clause defines. It is obtained directly from natural or drilled underground sources, not from a public supply, and may be treated only to separate unstable constituents such as iron, manganese, sulphur or arsenic without changing its essential minerals. Transport in bulk containers before packaging is prohibited. The characteristics table has 48 entries, among them total dissolved solids of 150-700 mg/litre, pH of 6.5-8.5, nitrates not more than 50 mg/litre and microbiological absence tests; natural spring water may have TDS of not more than 750 mg/litre. Blue tint under IS 9833 is allowed in plastic containers of five litres and above, with pigment migration not exceeding 60 mg/liter as per IS 9845.
Regulation 2.10.8: packaged drinking water
Packaged drinking water is water, other than natural mineral water, offered in packaged form by any name. It may come from surface, civic, underground or sea water, treated by the listed methods, such as filtration, reverse osmosis, demineralisation and remineralisation, and disinfected. If remineralisation is used, the ingredients must be food grade or pharma grade. It must be clear, with no sediment, suspended particles or extraneous matter, and must satisfy Tables 1 to 6.
| Table | Subject | A few parameters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | microbiological | coliform bacteria absent in 250 ml; aerobic microbial count 100 at 20-22 °C in 72 h and 20 at 37 °C in 24 h |
| 2 | organoleptic and physical | colour 2 true colour units maximum; turbidity 2 NTU maximum; pH 6.0 - 8.5 |
| 3 | undesirable substances | barium 0.7; iron 0.1; nitrate 45 mg/l maximum |
| 4 | toxic substances | mercury 0.001; arsenic 0.01; lead 0.01 mg/l maximum |
| 5 | radio-active residues | alpha emitters 0.1 and beta emitters 1 Bq/l |
| 6 | pesticide residues | individually not more than 0.0001 mg/l; total 0.0005 mg/l |
First Amendment Regulations, 2025, in force 1 February 2026. Three entries were substituted. The table now reads as follows.
| Table and serial number | Parameter | Entry in force |
|---|---|---|
| Table 2, serial number 5 | Total dissolved solids, mg/l | 75 to 500 |
| Table 3, serial number 15 | Calcium (as Ca), mg/l | 10 to 75 |
| Table 3, serial number 16 | Magnesium (as Mg), mg/l | 5 to 30 |
These entries were substituted by the First Amendment Regulations, 2025, in force 1 February 2026. A note says that where water for use in a food product must conform to the packaged drinking water standard, the minimum limits for calcium and magnesium do not apply. Blue tint under IS 9833 is allowed in plastic containers of five litres and above, with pigment migration not exceeding 60 mg/liter. Our overview of packaged drinking water standards and our post on FSSAI registration for water and juice businesses cover the broader and licensing picture.
Regulation 2.10.9: drinking water (purified)
Drinking water (purified) means water other than packaged drinking water and natural mineral water that is offered or sold through a water vending machine. It must be clear, with no sediment, suspended particles or extraneous matter, and must comply with Indian Standards IS:10500. A water vending machine here means a decentralised water purification system that purifies and dispenses water; it does not include an installation for captive consumption.
The omitted regulation
Regulation 2.10.5 is printed as omitted in the compendium, and no requirement can be read under that number.
A practical example
Aqua Spring runs a reverse osmosis plant and sells 20-litre jars. Since 1 February 2026 the lab report is read against a total dissolved solids entry of 75 to 500 mg/l, calcium of 10 to 75 and magnesium of 5 to 30, and the water is not mineral water, so the 2.10.8 tables apply. If the same water is used to make a soft drink, the note says the calcium and magnesium minimum limits do not apply for that purpose. The wider beverage context is in our article on tea, coffee and chicory.
Need help with water and beverage standards?
Our team can compare your laboratory report with the tables and prepare the licence application through FSSAI registration for food manufacturers.
Key takeaways
- Packaged drinking water must meet six tables and be clear.
- Three entries were substituted from 1 February 2026: TDS "75 to 500", calcium "10 to 75", magnesium "5 to 30".
- Caffeinated beverages need 145 to 300 mg of caffeine per litre and a printed caution.
- Mineral water has a TDS of 150-700 mg/litre, and spring water not more than 750 mg/litre.
- Regulation 2.10.5 is omitted.
Read next
- Regulations 2.10.1 to 2.10.4: tea, coffee and chicory
- Packaged drinking water standards
- Registration for water and juice businesses
- Regulation 2.11: baking powder, gelatin, silver leaf and pan masala
Disclaimer: Based on the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 as consolidated in FSSAI's chapter-wise compendium (to amendment 83 of 21 October 2024) and the First Amendment Regulations, 2025, as consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026. Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.