Government Halts Mint-Flavoured Water Production After Coliform Bacteria Found

Mint-Flavoured Water Found Unsafe for Drinking; Coliform Bacteria Detected, Department Orders Immediate Halt

The Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, has issued a prohibition order against M/s Basic Royal Norla Water Manufacturing Plant, Boomtar, Namchi District, after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Coliform bacteria in its flavored water samples.

The order, issued by the Food Safety and Standards Cell, Namchi, under Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, follows a public complaint and subsequent inspection by the Food Safety Officer, Namchi District, on September 15, 2025. Samples were analyzed by the State Food Testing Laboratory (SFTL) and NABL-accredited laboratories in Sikkim, both of which declared the products “Unsafe Food.”

In response, authorities have directed the firm to recall all flavored water products from the market immediately in the interest of public health. The company has also been asked to submit recall data to the department at the earliest.

The prohibition order strictly bans the manufacturing and sale of all flavored and packaged drinking water from the plant until further notice.

The Food Safety and Standards Cell has circulated the order to the Food Safety Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, the Director of FDA, and other concerned district officials for compliance and monitoring.

( Note : Coliform bacteria in drinking water indicate contamination from fecal matter, making the water unsafe. Consumption can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. In severe cases, especially among children, the elderly, or those with weak immunity, it can lead to serious infections and dehydration. Its presence signals possible harmful pathogens and unsafe hygiene conditions.)