ISLAMABAD, July 11: A statement issued here on Thursday dispelled the impression, created by a government functionary before the ad hoc Public Accounts Committee, that AVA had not been cleared as safe bottled water by the relevant government agency.

It was also stated that the AVA was in production although it did not have a license to do so, it said.

The statement clarified that the Pakistan Council for Water Research, in its report released on April 19, 2001, had cleared 10 brands as fit for drinking and these included the AVA.

“Later, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, through a notification, required all bottled water manufacturers to submit applications for registration with the authority along with product samples.”

The statement said the AVA submitted its application and water sample and the test report confirmed that the AVA water was in complete compliance with the standards laid down by the authority.