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In a shocking revelation, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that nearly a third of the bottled water samples tested in a recent campaign were unfit for human consumption.
What did the tests reveal?
During a special campaign in February 2025, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department analyzed 296 bottled water samples:
95 were unsafe for consumption.
88 were substandard in quality.
As part of a special campaign in February 2025, 296 drinking water bottle samples were collected for analysis. We have tested a significant number of mineral water samples, and the results are deeply concerning. While 95 samples have been found unsafe, and 88 were substandard. This is unacceptable when it comes to a basic necessity like drinking water.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health and Family Welfare Minister
What is in the water?
According to the minister, the contaminated samples showed:
Chemical residues, including pesticides and fluoride
Microbial contamination
Excessive total dissolved solids (TDS) such as calcium and magnesium
Low mineral content can pose a long-term health risk.
Big brands were not spared.
The minister revealed that some of the unsafe batches belonged to well-known national brands. However, action will be taken at the batch level, not against entire companies.
“The affected brands include some well-known names as well, said the minister who added the action will be taken against the companies. While the unsafe samples showed signs of both chemical and microbial contamination, many also had low mineral content, which could lead to health complications,” the minister said.
Legal action will be initiated after regular samples are collected as per the Food Safety Act.
Only 72 out of 255 samples were found safe in the previous survey.
This alarming update follows another recent survey where only 72 out of 255 bottled water samples were found safe. The findings highlight the ongoing concerns about food and water safety across the state.
Frozen peas found laced with harmful dyes.
60% samples are contaminated! The investigation did not stop at bottled water. Rao said frozen green peas were also tested, with disturbing results:
115 samples were collected.
69 were found adulterated.
Source of contamination: banned artificial coloring agents
The fact that 60% of the green pea samples are unsafe due to the use of artificial colouring agents is another serious finding. This is a direct threat to public health.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health and Family Welfare Minister
Government’s next steps: Legal action and public awareness
To tackle these violations:
Legal samples will now be taken to initiate court cases against the culprits.
Public advisories will be issued across the state, especially to manufacturers of sweets and snacks
Awareness campaigns will target harmful food production methods
We will be drawing legal samples and sending them for further thorough assessments. We will not hesitate to file cases against the companies, irrespective of whether they are local or national brands. Public health is our top priority,” the minister added.
Other food items being checked
The minister also shared a comprehensive overview of the food safety checks conducted in March:
A total of 3,204 food samples were analysed.
Out of 231 cheese samples, 32 have been tested so far.
2 were unsafe, 30 were deemed safe.
The rest are still under investigation.
Public health first
The Karnataka health ministry has made it clear: public health is the top priority. Be it local or national brands, those violating food safety norms will be held accountable.
We are going to educate the public and manufacturers and issue advisories to all those across Karnataka who produce sweets, snacks, and similar items. These advisories will highlight harmful practices and stress the need to avoid using banned artificial colouring agents.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health and Family Welfare Minister
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)
