Ball Beverage Packaging India has welcomed the move by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to pave the way for packaging drinking water in non-transparent packaging solutions like aluminium beverage cans.

This will not only address issues on the sustainability front and contribute to the Government’s initiative to regulate single-use plastics, but also provide the end consumer an eco-friendly alternative.

The Aluminum Beverage Can manufacturers had written to FSSAI to make necessary regulatory changes in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2018 for Packaged Drinking Water. This was in line with the recommendation by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the suggestions made by the Expert Committee which had the representatives from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in 2019, to remove the restriction on the use of non-transparent bottle for packaging drinking water to enable businesses to explore alternatives other than the PET currently in use.

Developed countries in North America and Europe have widely adopted packaged drinking water in aluminum beverage cans and brands are now launching water in developing countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Brazil too.

Commenting on the development, Amit Lahoti, Senior Director and General Manager – Asia, Ball Beverage Packaging, said: “We thank FSSAI for bringing in this regulation that will place India at par with other environmentally conscious countries who are encouraging sustainable beverage packaging choices.

“We are excited to offer our prospective customers in the packaged water space innovative aluminium cans as a sustainable packaging material. Cans are infinitely recyclable, lightweight, tamper proof stackable and strong, allowing brands to package and transport more beverages using less material.”

Ankur Chawla, Co-Founder, Responsible Whatr, said: “It is a great initiative and we, at Responsible Whatr, as the first ones in India to package Natural Spring water beverages in a can, wholeheartedly welcome the move. As a hotelier, it’s always been a challenge to move away from single-use plastic, particularly in a few volume-driven spaces.

“The challenge is very prominent even in industries like cinemas and airlines. However, the option of serving water in endlessly and infinitely recyclable aluminium cans is surely a step in the right direction. Moreover, aluminum cans are the perfect packaging solution to keep the freshness of the natural spring water from the Himalayas intact and the taste of the water doesn’t deteriorate since there is no exposure to light. We thank FSSAI for bringing this regulation.”

Karthik Rajput, director, Volnaa Beverages, said: “Sustainability is the foundation of our firm with a conscious aim on reducing the usage of single-use plastic. The FSSAI notification will further strengthen our vision and focus to make the packaged water industry more eco-friendly and at the same time give consumers a sustainable packaging option. We would thank Ball for supporting our cause and working towards building a green future for our planet.”