KATHMANDU: The government has filed 33 cases against water bottling plants in the first four months of current fiscal year 2012-13. Bottled water is a major problem sector with regards to public health, said senior food officer of Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) Promod Koirala.
DFTQC filed 25 cases and Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) filed eight cases in the period. The regulators have taken action according to the Food Act and Consumer Protection Act, respectively.
Bottled water is one of the major problem sectors, and there were lots of incidents of substandard water in the market. “We identified them and filed cases against them,” he said, adding that DFTQC filed cases at the District Administration Office according to the Food Act. DoCSM filed eight cases at the District Administration Court.
DFTQC examined 79 samples of bottled water in fiscal year 2011-12, and found 52 samples contaminated with either fungi or coliform, a harmful bacteria. Similarly, pH value was also not maintained in bottled water. The best pH value is seven but drinking water can be between pH 6.5 and 9.5, according to World Health Organisation.
According to clause 5 of the Food Act, bottling industries not meeting basic standards or ignoring consumer safety must be fined Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 or six months to one year imprisonment or both. However, the Consumer Protection Act has a more stringent fine and punishment provision. Clause 18 (c) of the law has a provision of up to Rs 50,000 fine or three years imprisonment or both.
DFTQC has decided to introduce a provision of issuing a licence to only those water bottling plants that maintain basic standard. The department has drafted directives to enforce the provision in February.
Unsafe drinking water is major cause of diseases among people living in urban areas. According to public health experts, about 80 per cent to 90 per cent of people living in cities suffer from water borne diseases. Therefore, controlling unsafe drinking water will not only help reduce public health risk but also save millions spent in treatment.
DFTQC filed 25 cases and Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) filed eight cases in the period. The regulators have taken action according to the Food Act and Consumer Protection Act, respectively.
Bottled water is one of the major problem sectors, and there were lots of incidents of substandard water in the market. “We identified them and filed cases against them,” he said, adding that DFTQC filed cases at the District Administration Office according to the Food Act. DoCSM filed eight cases at the District Administration Court.
DFTQC examined 79 samples of bottled water in fiscal year 2011-12, and found 52 samples contaminated with either fungi or coliform, a harmful bacteria. Similarly, pH value was also not maintained in bottled water. The best pH value is seven but drinking water can be between pH 6.5 and 9.5, according to World Health Organisation.
According to clause 5 of the Food Act, bottling industries not meeting basic standards or ignoring consumer safety must be fined Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 or six months to one year imprisonment or both. However, the Consumer Protection Act has a more stringent fine and punishment provision. Clause 18 (c) of the law has a provision of up to Rs 50,000 fine or three years imprisonment or both.
DFTQC has decided to introduce a provision of issuing a licence to only those water bottling plants that maintain basic standard. The department has drafted directives to enforce the provision in February.
Unsafe drinking water is major cause of diseases among people living in urban areas. According to public health experts, about 80 per cent to 90 per cent of people living in cities suffer from water borne diseases. Therefore, controlling unsafe drinking water will not only help reduce public health risk but also save millions spent in treatment.
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