The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has directed CWAY to tighten the handling, packaging, transportation and storage of its bottled water following an unscheduled inspection of its production facility triggered by a viral social media video and complaints from consumers.

The agency also recommended that the company introduce a defined shelf life for its plastic bottles and withdraw them from circulation after the period expires, while urging stronger controls over distributors handling the products.

The findings were contained in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday following a meeting between LASCOPA and CWAY officials over the complaints.

According to the statement, the agency conducted an “unscheduled inspection” of the company’s water production facility as part of its mandate to assess the production, packaging, transportation, storage and distribution of consumer products.

ASCOPA officials inspected various stages of CWAY’s production process, including bottle filling, capping, labelling and preparation for distribution.

The agency also observed plastic packaging materials that had been separated for disposal.

The statement said CWAY explained that the discarded bottles were processed through a grinding machine and sold to plastic industries as raw materials.

It added that company records showed that an average of about 1,000 bottles were discarded daily.

The statement did not state that the discarded bottles were contaminated or unsafe, but LASCOPA used the inspection to direct the company to strengthen controls around packaging materials.

“The Agency advised CWAY to ensure that all packaging materials are properly cleaned, maintained and fit for use,” the statement said.

The Director, Scientific Investigation, Research and Development, LASCOPA, Suluka Raheem, also recommended that the company provide suitable handles on its bottles to reduce slippage and improve safe handling.

Raheem further advised CWAY to establish a defined shelf life for its bottles, after which they would be withdrawn from circulation whether or not they were visibly damaged.

The regulator also raised concerns about how bottled water could be handled after leaving the production facility, recommending stronger training and sensitisation for distributors.

Raheem specifically advised distributors to prevent the products from being exposed to direct sunlight during transportation and to observe proper handling and storage procedures.

Representing the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, the agency’s Board Secretary and Head of Legal, Arinola Momoh-Ayokanmbi, urged CWAY to adopt internationally recognised standards for transporting, distributing and storing its products.

She also called on the company’s management to address the observations made during the inspection and implement the recommendations arising from the exercise.

The inspection followed complaints concerning CWAY water that circulated on social media, but LASCOPA did not state in the release that laboratory tests had established that the product was contaminated or otherwise unsafe.

Rather, the agency said the inspection was undertaken to assess the company’s operations and reinforce consumer protection standards.

LASCOPA said it remained committed to safeguarding the health, safety and interests of consumers while promoting confidence in products sold across Lagos State. (The PUNCH)