Health Ministry tightens grip on errant bottled water traders
by Carol Aloysius
On the heels of World Water Day which fell on March 22, the Health
Ministry has launched an awareness raising campaign warning the public
to guard themselves against being victims of unscrupulous bottled water
traders and ensure the water they purchase is safe and pure.
The Food Control Unit of the Ministry of Health said it had stepped
up vigilance on errant bottled water manufacturers who had infiltrated
the open market.
“The numbers of offenders has declined due to an excellent
surveillance system by the Health Ministry. However, there still remains
a significant few who continue their illegal trade”. This is a matter of
concern, Director, Food Administrative Unit of the Health Ministry, K.
Tillekeratne told the Sunday Observer.
He said selling unregistered bottled water became illegal when the
Health Ministry introduced an Act under Section 32 of the Food Act of
1980 (No. 26), in 2005. Under these regulations, selling bottled or
packaged water without registration is an offence, punishable by law.
Since the Act was passed, the number of illegal bottled water
manufacturers in the island has declined. “However, some owners still
don’t register their companies or are manufacturing their products in
unhygienic conditions,” he observed.
At present 25 owners have been charged for operating such illegal
businesses after cases were filed by Public Health Inspectors and Food
and Drugs Inspectors. In the past five years, 300 cases had been filed
including closure of some establishments on various grounds such as
failure to register, quality failure and labelling violations, he said.
“Pure drinking water is vital for good health, as contaminated water
can lead to several illnesses. Every manufacturer must therefore conform
to the required standards set by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (
SLSI)”, he stressed.
According to the regulations, the period of registration is valid
only for three years. Thereafter owners must apply for new registration
numbers. The bottles have to be passed by the SLSI and must display this
seal and the registration number prominently on the label. “If anyone
violates this regulation our authorised officers can initiate legal
action against them”, he said. At present, there are around 100
registered bottled water suppliers in the island.
The Health Ministry has appealed to the public to help flush out
errant bottled water dealers. “If anyone has the slightest doubt that
the lid of a bottle they have purchased has been tampered with, or that
the registration date on the label has expired, or has been omitted ,
they should immediately contact the nearest MOH office or PHI office who
will take action. Or else, they can inform the Food Control
Administrative unit of the Health Ministry”, Tillekeratne said
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