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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (October 25) announced the test results of a targeted surveillance project aimed at assessing the microbiological quality of bottled water.
The CFS collected 60 samples in August and September this year from supermarkets, convenience stores, groceries, department stores and food factories for microbiological tests. The results were all satisfactory.
The samples included bottled natural mineral water and bottled drinking water such as distilled water and artificial mineralised water, from local and overseas production plants. The CFS also collected samples of different bottle volumes which included carboys of water for water dispensers. The examinations conducted included indicators of microbiological quality, such as E. Coli and total coliform bacteria.
Despite the satisfactory results, a CFS spokesman reminded members of the public to buy bottled water from reliable shops, 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 it is opened.
"People with lower immunity should choose bottled water that has undergone a treatment process such as distillation or reverse osmosis. Drinking water or water from carboy dispensers should be boiled," he said.
"For people taking care of infants, they 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 degree Celsius. Reconstituted powdered infant formula should be then cooled to feeding temperature and consumed immediately. Mineral water is not suitable for preparing infant formula," he added.
The spokesman also reminded the trade to ensure that the products were fit for consumption and to source bottled water from reliable production plants.
"Bottled water manufacturers should maintain good environmental hygiene in production plants, transport vehicles and warehouses. They should also observe good hygienic practices along all processes of production, transport and storage," he added.
Ends/Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:33
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