Twenty-one bottled mineral water brands in Pakistan found to be unsafe due to chemical or microbiological contamination, government agency says

Nevin Barich

ISLAMABAD , June 22, 2014 (Right Vision News) – Twenty one mineral bottled water brands selling in different cities have been found unsafe for health due to chemical or microbiological contamination and playing havoc with masses in the name of purity and quality. During a sample testing campaign by Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), 21 brands were found selling water chemically or biologically unsafe. The PCRWR had collected 86 samples of mineral water brands from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, D G Khan, D I Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Tandojam, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. When these samples were tested in accordance with the permissible limits of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, it was revealed that the said brands were selling drinking water injurious to health. These brands which were stated to be selling contaminated water include Best Nation, Lock, Kalash Pure Water, Best Water, Cool, Aqua National, Active, Elixir, Nature Aqua, Aqua Safe, Al Sana, Oxigyzer, PanPura, Premier Pure Water, Safi Mineral Water, NN Welfare, Aqua Royal, Water Empire, Water Plus, Breg, Lite Wave, Oslo, Zindagi, Mathar, Sea Breeze, Kallan Water and Sunlay. It was observed that the sale of sub-standard mineral water is on rise at some of the main points of twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad including Pirwadhai, Faizabad, Saddar, Peshawar Mor, Khanna Pull, Karachi Company, Bhara Kahu, Alipur Farash and other places. Due to mushroom growth of illegal water (mineral) plants, most of these companies had flooded the markets without installing proper filters and processes to separate the contamination from the water and addition of valid nutrients and minerals in bottled water which caused water-borne diseases including gastro-enteritis, cholera and hepatitis. These companies have deceived the customers by selling their "products" in bottles which looked the same as popular and registered brands of bottled water, thus earning them huge profits. When contacted, the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), official said that samples of the water have also been sent to the laboratory for tests and further action against the manufacturing company will be taken on the basis of the lab report. "The illegal bottled water is contaminated and is hazardous for human health, which should be banned in the larger interest of the public," he added Published by HT Syndication with permission from Right Vision News. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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