Addressing complaints of unsafe water being sold to consumers, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad has warned that there will be no compromise in quality and standards.

The Consumers Affairs Division has been receiving complaints about the quality of water and the standard of water being served in Guyana as bottled water, and will be working closely with the Food and Drug department to ensure that consumers are not affected.

“An enormous amount of money is being charged, there are all sorts of advertisements about best quality water, and so we have to look at these issues very carefully, because we want to make sure people get value for their money and the product is hygienic and safe for human consumption,” the Minister said.

Bottling methods also will have to be looked at carefully. He said “While the Food and Drug Department has responsibility for the quality of the water, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards has an overall obligation to maintain the standards throughout the country and the Consumers Affairs Division will make sure that these things are monitored.”

Bottled water sold to the consuming public should be free from bacteria and must stand scrutiny standards approved by the Food and Drug Department, he explained.  

“All the water producers must comply with the minimum health standards and that is why the Ministry, through the Division of Commerce, will be monitoring the situation carefully, ” Minister Prashad announced.

The Minister is urging stakeholders to form an association that would help to regulate and set standards in the industry.

Minister Prashad gave the assurance that his Ministry will be working with the GWI to ensure that the water producers meet international standards of testing.(GINA)