Rusted Tanks, Poor Hygiene: FSSAI Suspends Gomati Water Unit's License
Aug 04, 2026
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the license of M/S Matri Drinking Water in Gomati, Tripura, after its inspection team recorded eleven critical non-compliances, ranging from contamination risks to the absence of trained technical staff, at the packaged drinking water unit.
The inspection was carried out after a food safety complaint was received regarding the presence of foreign materials in packaged drinking water. It revealed violations affecting both safety and hygiene standards at the facility.
Among the violations, finished products were found stored improperly outside the facility, kept alongside non-food materials and directly on the floor. The processing and filling areas were reportedly in poor condition, with damaged walls, flaking paint, cobwebs and inadequate pest control. Rusted chemical dosing containers and a rusted RO water storage tank were also found in use, which may contaminate the product and pose a risk to consumer health.
Moreover, records of cleaning, sanitation, preventive maintenance, pest control, internal audit and food handler training were not properly maintained. The wash basin was found unclean, and proper hand drying facilities were unavailable for food handlers. Exhaust fans lacked protective mesh or screens, allowing possible entry of insects and contaminants.
It is learned that food handlers had not received adequate training in food safety and hygiene, with no training records available. The technical person responsible for supervising production was not present during the inspection, and finished products had reportedly not been tested as per the FSSAI prescribed scheme, with no laboratory analysis or quality monitoring records maintained.
The license has been suspended under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with immediate effect, until further orders.
