ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday declared 25 brands of bottled or mineral water unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.

As many as 19 brands, including Qudrat Water, Natural, Premium Safa Purified Water, Z Pure Drinking Water, Best Natural, Klear, Sona Water Life Pure Drinking Water, Pure and Healthy Alkaline Water, Aqua 100, Elstein, Aab-e-Haram, Khizer Pure Water, Fine, Barsay, Aab-e-Muskan, Aab-e-Hayat, Indus, Oslo and Fresh Smart Pure Water, were found to be unsafe due to the presence of higher levels of sodium.

Among the 25, three brands - Khizer pure water, Fine, and Indus - were found unsafe due to the presence of a higher level of total dissolved solids (TDS) than the permissible limit, while one brand named, Imperial, was found unsafe due to presence of a higher level of potassium than the permissible limit.

About eight brands - Ice Well, Clear, Best Natural, Imperial, Aab-e-Hayat, Pure Life, Aqua Gold and Spring Pure Water - were found to be contaminated with bacteria and declared unsafe for drinking purposes.

The PCRWR cautioned the public to look into the detailed report to learn about the status of water quality of the bottled water brands they consumed.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2023