FSSAI action on alkaline water for fulvic acid: All you need to know

FSSAI has moved against a Gujarat alkaline water manufacturer after tests found black particles, sediments and fulvic acid in packaged water. The case has sharpened focus on how wellness drinks are labelled, licensed and sold in India.

In Short

• Complaint-led tests found sediments, black particles and blackish-brown colour in samples
• Officials said added mineral substances introduced fulvic acid into processed water
• Experts said the core issue was mislabelling, not proven ingredient toxicity

India’s food safety regulator announced action against a Gujarat-based alkaline water manufacturer after laboratory tests found “black particles”, sediments and fulvic acid – an ingredient not permitted in packaged drinking water under current regulations – raising fresh concerns over the booming wellness beverage market.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday said it seized stocks worth nearly Rs 31.61 lakh from the Vadodara-based company following a complaint and subsequent investigation.

While the regulator stopped short of naming the brand, officials described a series of violations that included misleading packaging information, contradictory labelling and the presence of unexplained “blackish-brown coloration”.

The case has suddenly thrust fulvic acid into the spotlight – a naturally occurring compound found in soil and organic matter that is increasingly being marketed in wellness supplements, detox products and so-called “black alkaline water”.

WELLNESS WATER BOOM

According to the FSSAI, the investigation began after a consumer complaint triggered technical scrutiny of the product. Officials found sediments and black particles in the packaged water, while laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of fulvic acid.

“Investigations established that this ingredient originated from the addition of black mineral substances and was not inherent to the raw or processed water, confirming a clear violation of established safety standards,” the regulator said.

FSSAI added that formal proceedings have now been initiated under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

The controversy comes at a time when alkaline and mineral-infused waters are gaining popularity among urban consumers seeking “functional beverages” marketed as healthier alternatives to ordinary packaged water.

Black alkaline water in particular has carved out a niche in the fitness and celebrity wellness market, often promoted for its claimed antioxidant and detoxification benefits.

But experts say the issue in the current case may not necessarily be about toxicity - rather, about how the product was classified and sold.

“The recent issue appears to stem more from product classification and labelling rather than the ingredient itself being unsafe,” said Dr Saurabh Arora, managing director of Auriga Research, a contract research organization and testing lab that offers inspection, training, and certification services.

“The sample that was picked up was labelled as ‘water’, whereas the product was actually a form of alkaline black water containing added functional ingredients such as fulvic acid,” he explained.

Under Indian law, once a product is sold as packaged drinking water, it must comply with Bureau of Indian Standards specifications such as IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged mineral water. Those norms prohibit suspended particles, sediments and unauthorised additives.

“In this particular case, the presence of fulvic acid appears to have resulted in the sample failing regulatory requirements because fulvic acid is not permitted under the packaged drinking water category,” Arora said.

He added that products containing functional or herbal ingredients should instead be classified under the nutraceutical category rather than marketed as conventional water.

WHAT IS FULVIC ACID?

The controversy has also sparked wider curiosity about fulvic acid itself, that many already know of as a key ingredient in Shilajit, a resinous extrudate highly regarded in Ayurveda.

Fulvic acid is a naturally occurring compound formed when plants and organic matter decompose in soil, peat and water sources. It belongs to a class of compounds known as humic substances and is often sold globally as a dietary supplement in liquid, powder or capsule form.

“It is commonly promoted for its ability to improve nutrient absorption,” said Dr Archana Batra, dietitian and diabetes educator.

“Since it contains trace minerals and electrolytes, supporters claim it may help the body absorb vitamins and minerals more efficiently,” she said, adding that it is also marketed for gut health, immunity, energy support and detoxification.

The ingredient has gained traction in alternative wellness circles because of claims that it helps transport nutrients into cells more effectively and supports hydration and cellular function. Some preliminary studies have also linked it to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Arora noted that fulvic acid “is recognised for its role in supporting mineral absorption, improving bioavailability, and contributing to overall vitality and wellness” and is already permitted in certain nutraceutical products in India.

That distinction, however, appears central to the FSSAI’s action.

“The concern here is not necessarily contamination in the conventional sense, but rather a mismatch between the product’s composition and the category under which it was labelled and licensed,” Arora said.

QUESTIONS AROUND SAFETY

Even as wellness brands continue to market functional drinks aggressively, health experts warn that scientific evidence surrounding fulvic acid supplements remains limited.

“Many claims require more large-scale human studies,” Batra cautioned.

While small quantities are generally considered safe for healthy adults, experts say excessive consumption or poor-quality supplements may pose risks. Side effects can include nausea, diarrhoea, headaches and stomach discomfort. There are also concerns that unregulated products may contain contaminants such as heavy metals depending on sourcing and manufacturing standards.

Batra warned that people with autoimmune disorders should be particularly cautious because fulvic acid “may stimulate immune activity”. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as people taking long-term medications, should consult medical professionals before using such supplements, she added.

The latest crackdown underscores a broader challenge confronting India’s rapidly expanding health and wellness market: products increasingly blur the line between beverages, supplements and therapeutic formulations, while regulations often remain category-specific.

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