PFA shuts eight bottled water plants

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LAHORE:

The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has sealed eight bottled water plants after laboratory tests revealed dangerously high levels of chemical and bacterial contamination, rendering the water unfit for human consumption.

The crackdown follows testing conducted by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), which found that several brands marketed as safe drinking water contained harmful contaminants exceeding permissible limits set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

The findings highlight a significant public health risk in a country where water contamination remains a pressing issue.

According to a statement, despite being considered a safer alternative, bottled water has itself become a potential hazard, with laboratory analyses detecting excessive levels of arsenic, sodium, potassium,and microbiological contaminants in several brands. As a result, the PFA shut down the plants in Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad and Sialkot.

"These plants will remain closed until they implement stringent corrective measures, including verified improvements in water quality, mandatory medical tests for workers, and documented filter replacements," PFA Director General Asim Javed said.