By Ayesha Wijeratne
The Health Ministry is to closely monitor the bottled water industry after random checks carried out by the Ministry had revealed that there were many substandard products in the market produced without obtaining licenses.
“The Ministry has directed all the authorised officers - MOHs, PHIs and food and drug inspectors to scrutinise the bottled water products in the market and compare them with the updated list of brands registered with the Chief Food Authority”, Director, Environmental, Occupational health and Food Safety at the Health Ministry, Dr Shanmugarajah told The Nation.
The Chief Food Authority will take legal action against traders and manufacturers violating the provisions of the Food (Bottled or Packaged Water) Regulations of 2005, Dr. Shanmugarajah said.
He said that the Health Ministry drew their attention to the increase in the number of bottled water products available in the market after it was found that a number of individuals who owned and operated these facilities lacked knowledge and skills of processing. The situation had an adverse impact on the tourist industry also, Dr. Shanmugarajah noted.
After taking stock of the situation, the Ministry took measures to bring the industry under its wing. The regulation was published in consultation with the Food Advisory Committee in terms of Section 32 of the Food Act No. 26 of 1980. The law applies not only to the locally manufactured products but to the imported ones as well, Dr, Shanmugarajah said.
In terms of these regulations every plant carrying on the business of manufacturing bottled drinking water is required to be registered with the Chief Food Authority (Director General of Health Services, Food Control Administration Unit of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.)
A brand, specific registration number will be assigned to the premises after verifying all details ensuring the safety and quality of the water processed and the processing method adopted.
Dr. Shanmugarajah said that the registration number which is renewable once in every three years shall be displayed on the label or neck of the bottle. Any industry which does not comply with these regulations shall be deemed to be in violation of the provisions of this act. At present only 52 locally manufactured bottled water brands and three imported ones are registered under the Chief Food Authority.