Monitoring the quality of bottled drinking water.

In accordance with Official Letter No. 493/ATTP-NĐTT dated March 19, 2025, from the Food Safety Department regarding the monitoring of food contamination risks in 2025, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department, in coordination with local health centers, organized three rounds of monitoring of bottled drinking water products in several communes, wards, and special zones in the province, including Phu Quoc, Rach Gia, and Long Xuyen.

The inspection team checked food safety conditions at bottled water production facilities. Simultaneously, they collected 150 samples for testing, analyzing five microbiological indicators in each sample and evaluating the results according to the national technical standard for bottled drinking water (QCVN 6-1:2010/BYT). The results showed that 50 out of 150 samples failed to meet the standard, representing 33.3%; out of a total of 750 indicators tested, 63 indicators failed, representing 8.4%. For facilities with samples failing to meet microbiological standards, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department promptly notified the results, guided the facilities in identifying the causes, and requested corrective measures.

The inspection team visited and worked at a bottled water production facility in Phu Hoa commune. Photo: KIM LOAN

Analyzing the monitoring results, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department found that the failure of water samples to meet microbiological standards was closely related to the environmental hygiene conditions at the production facility and the maintenance of equipment and periodic sample testing. Common violations included: the bottling room not being airtight or properly cleaned; the frequency of maintenance and replacement of pre-filters and RO membranes not complying with the manufacturer's instructions; and the failure to comply with regulations on periodic testing of source water and finished water samples to proactively monitor water quality.

A bottled water production system at a facility in the province. Photo: KIM LOAN

For establishments found to be in violation, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department requires them to temporarily cease operations to rectify food safety conditions. Afterward, the department will re-test samples for microbiological indicators to ensure all indicators meet QCVN 6-1:2010/BYT standards.

In the coming period, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department will strengthen training and guidance on controlling hazards throughout the entire production process, implement conformity declaration according to Government Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP, and label products correctly according to regulations.

KIM LOAN

(Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department)

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giam-sat-chat-luong-nuoc-uong-dong-chai-a477926.html