The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has suspended the distribution of some packaged drinking water brands in Ndola and Kitwe, after they were found to be non-compliant with national quality standards.
During recent market surveillance and factory inspections on the Copperbelt, the agency flagged and restricted 113 cases of bottled water worth K7,475 for failing to meet the Zambian Standard ZS 388, which states Bottled Drinking Water Specification and violating provisions of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
ZCSA Communications and Public Relations Manager, Brian Hatyoka, said some packaged water brands were not registered with the Agency while other brands were suspected to be unsafe for human consumption.
“The Agency has taken precautionary measures and suspended the supply of the affected packaged drinking water products to ensure that the companies involved in producing bottled drinking water and water sachets implements corrective measures and demonstrate full compliance with the relevant standards,” said Mr. Hatyoka in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He has since emphasized the Agency’s continued commitment to enforcing compulsory standards to safeguard public health and safety.
By Margaret Mwanza
