Think twice before quenching your thirst with a bottle or pouch of water from the open market in Uttar Pradesh — it could be carrying deadly bacteria that may severely impact your health.
Recent laboratory tests conducted by the microbiology wing of the state’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) have revealed the presence of Escherichia coli (E coli) in several samples of packaged drinking water, a bacterium that indicates faecal contamination and can cause severe gastrointestinal infections.
The contaminated samples were collected from various cities, including Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Amethi, Basti, Mathura, Ghaziabad and Lakhimpur Kheri.
The affected products included both bottled and pouch-packaged water sold at shops, roadside stalls, and transit points.
The detection of E coli suggests either inadequate filtration or the use of unclean water sources during bottling, posing a serious risk to public health. Dr Ankur Mishra, a senior physician at King George’s Medical University, expressed grave concern: “E coli infections can cause anything from diarrhea and vomiting to serious complications like kidney failure. For children, the elderly and those with compromised immunity, contaminated water can be life-threatening.”
Consumers are already feeling the fear on the ground. Ranjana Verma, a schoolteacher from Basti, said, “I fell ill just last week after drinking water from a plastic pouch I bought at the bus stand. I always trusted packaged water, but now I do not know what is safe anymore.”
According to FSDA officials, these findings are the result of surprise checks and microbiological analyses performed in certified laboratories.
The agency has issued show-cause notices to manufacturers of the failed samples and, in some cases, halted production pending investigation. Officials have urged citizens to avoid purchasing water from unverified or unknown sources and to remain vigilant during this period of intense heat when the demand for water is soaring.
The crackdown has extended to unauthorized manufacturing units as well. In Greater Noida’s Kasna Industrial Area, authorities raided two illegal bottling plants operating without valid licenses.
These units were found producing counterfeit water bottles under names like “Bilseri” and “Blaser,” imitating popular brands. Over 13,000 bottles were seized and sent for testing. A similar case occurred in Baghpat, where over 2,600 fake water bottles were confiscated following a tip-off triggered by the District Magistrate spotting a suspicious bottle during an event. An illegal warehouse distributing the spurious product was demolished soon after.
“People need to be cautious and use their judgment,” said Irfan Khan, a sales executive from Lucknow. “I have started carrying my own water bottle to avoid getting sick. You never know what is in these so-called branded bottles anymore.”
FSDA officials emphasise that packaged water must comply with stringent purification and safety norms.
Yet the presence of E. coli points to lapses in hygiene and oversight at bottling facilities. In response, the agency has vowed to intensify surveillance, conduct more surprise inspections, and take legal action against those found violatingsafety standards.
Authorities have urged consumers to stay alert and adopt safe practices. Boiling water at home, carrying your own water while traveling and checking for tamper-proof seals, certification, and expiry dates on bottles are among the precautions strongly advised.
“This is not just about one or two fake plants — it is about the integrity of what people consume daily,” said a senior FSDA officer. “We are committed to cracking down on violators, but people must also play their part and be cautious.”