PESHAWAR: In a startling revelation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Authority (KPFA) declared 40% of the bottled water samples taken across the province were unsafe for health, after conducting an extensive campaign of testing water through the recently launched Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Center for Research.
The campaign, from August 23 to September 19, is the first time in the history of the province that such a large-scale, scientifically supported food and water testing program has been conducted.
As per a thorough briefing by KPFA Director General Wasif Saeed to Provincial Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru, 156 bottled water samples from all over different industries and packaging capacities (19L, 1.5L, 500ml, and 300ml) were analyzed. Out of them, 59.61% were satisfactory, while a disturbing 40.39% were unsafe for consumption.
Among the failed samples, 61 were contaminated with harmful bacteria like coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two samples also indicated the presence of hazardous chemical compounds.
Besides bottled water, 56 water source samples were also tested, with 29 failing to achieve safety standards.
The province now has 143 active bottled water establishments that produce a total of about 419,096 liters of water per day. Alarmingly, about 117,543 liters of this production per day was substandard.
Minister Zahir Shah Toru verified that several companies that have been producing dirty water have been issued substantial penalties, and they have also been asked to pull their products back from the market immediately. The companies would not be permitted to resell their products until their processing plant is corrected and again approved by the authority.
He also announced the opening of a second phase, during which KPFA will sample private and public water filtration plants and water sources in homes province-wide.
“This is just the start,” stated Zahir Shah Toru. “We are dedicated to removing substandard food and water from the province. Through guaranteeing quality, we hope to clear the hospital beds and save the health of the people.”
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The food minister highlighted that testing campaigns for foods of various kinds are conducted under the directions of the Chief Minister. The intention is not merely to spot the violators but also to enhance industry standards across the board.
