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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (April 12) announced the results of a targeted surveillance project on microbiological quality of bottled water. All 60 samples of bottled water passed the tests.
"The CFS collected both locally produced and imported bottled water samples from food factories, supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail outlets for microbiological quality tests in February and March," a CFS spokesman said.
The samples cover a variety of bottled water (including natural mineral water, distilled water and artificial mineralised water) and different volumes (including carboys of water for water dispensers). The examinations conducted included hygienic indicators (e.g. E. Coli and total coliform bacteria), while pathogens tests includes Faecal streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sulphite-reducing anaerobes.
Although all the test results were satisfactory, the spokesman reminded members of the public to buy bottled water from reliable shops, check the expiry date, and avoid buying or drinking expired bottled water as well as those improperly sealed or with damaged packaging. Bottled water should be consumed as soon as possible after the bottle is opened.
"People with lower immunity should avoid bottled water that has not undergone a treatment process such as distillation or reverse osmosis. Water from carboy dispensers should be boiled," he said.
Furthermore, people taking care of infants should boil water from the water dispenser if they use it for preparing infant formula. The temperature of water used for preparation should not be lower than 70 degrees Celsius. Reconstituted powdered infant formula should be then cooled to feeding temperature and consumed immediately. Mineral water is not suitable for preparing infant formula.
The spokesman also reminded the trade to source bottled water from reliable production plants, ensuring that the products were fit for consumption and meet the microbiological criteria of the "Microbiological Guidelines for Ready-to-eat Food".
Bottled water manufacturers should maintain good environmental hygiene in production plants, transport vehicles and warehouses. They should also observe good hygienic practices throughout all processes of production, transport and storage.
Ends/Friday, April 12, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:31
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