Bottled mineral water quality: The stark reality.
Around 90% water bottling plants do not have reminaralisation plants, which is essential to maintain the required mineral level in drinking water.
Many samples found to have pathogenic and indicator bacteria like coliforms, E. Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus, etc, which cause infections in the intestines leading to diarrhoea and throat pain.
It should also be free from other microbes like fecal Streptococci, Sulphite reducing anaerobes, yeast and moulds and Vibrio cholera and V. parahaemolyticus.
Similar may be the condition with many such plants all over the country including our state.
Absence of thorough check by regulatory authorities is making the bottled water industry to flourish.
Many of these do not have basic requirements.
The shelf life of the product should be printed on the bottle.
Water should not be stored in bottles for long periods.
Empty cans should be cleaned thoroughly.