Health

Bottled water is not always mineral

06/06/2017

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Increase product complaints. Label often does not identify that it is a drink with added salts   

BY LUCIANA CASEMIRO 06/04/2017 4:30 / Updated 04/06/2017 12:41

Not all bottled water is mineral. The problem is that for most consumers this is unclear, neither clear nor transparent. And the worst of it is that sometimes it is not just an inadequate information problem but also a quality problem. There was a 40% increase in the number of water complaints to the Food Safety Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj) and 30% to the Brazilian Association of Mineral Water Industry (Abinam). This led, from the end of 2016 to the creation of two bills to deal with the sector and a new certification program for the Rio market.

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The first concern is that it is easy to identify to the consumer what mineral water is, which is a 100% natural product, and what is water added with mineral salts, a treated water with added nutrients. To this end, the bill (PL) 2.791 / 2017, currently being processed by Alerj, provides not only color-coded packages, but also gallons with specific capacities for each type of product, besides the mandatory information already highlighted on the label In the regulation of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

Only one prosecutor in the state

On the other hand, PL 2,790 / 2017 creates a control seal, which must be fixed on the bottles of all types of water marketed in the state, in order to avoid fraud, and which provides for a fine in case of noncompliance. Both projects are expected to be voted on within 60 days by the Alerj plenary.

- There was a significant increase in reports of malaise and belly pain related to the consumption of bottled water. In research, in addition to the information problem, we identified that it is necessary to increase the supervision of the sector. From the container to the distribution, the water path must be accompanied to guarantee quality. There are many risk points for contamination and loss of mineral water properties - explains Mrs Lucinha (PSDB), author of both PLs and chair of the Alerj Food Safety and Health Commission.

According to the deputy, despite the current focus are the 20 liter bottles, the goal is that the regulation extends to all packaging.

Anvisa survey last year identified 46 saltwater manufacturers in 16 Brazilian states. Data from Abinam cite 60 companies that produce mineral waters in the State of Rio.

In order to have an idea of the precariousness of the inspection in the state, the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM) admits that there is only one server to inspect mineral water bottling companies in Rio. Despite this, DNPM says it has no record of complaints of Water in the state.

Complaint about quality

Mineral water consumer in gallon, Vânia Aparecida, 38, a resident of Angra dos Reis, filed a complaint on Alerj's Food Safety Dial two weeks ago when she and her two children had a bad time after consuming the product. The bottle, he says, was unlabeled and, despite being sealed, there was no plastic wrap around the bottleneck:

- We bought the place and the brand always. But after we drank the water, my children and I had nausea, stomach ache and vomiting. The water had a brackish texture, but since it was the only one we had, we ended up consuming a good amount.

Complaints such as that of Vânia were forwarded by Alerj and Abinam to the state prosecutor's office and Sanitary Surveillance. Eight investigations were opened by the MP, two have already been filed, the rest are in progress, still without conclusion. Most complaints are due to label information problems.

From January to May, the Sanitary Surveillance of the municipality carried out 36 water collections, from 18 brands. Seven of them had problems: six of information and one was identified microbiological contamination, but the company is still on time to file a counter-claim.

- We do not have enough data to tell us whether the industry is problematic or not. Last year we did technical guidance and this year the effective inspection. But it is very important that the citizen registers by telephone 1746 any problem that he may have. Cases in which health impairment is identified are treated as an outbreak and immediately become a priority. The consumer needs to be aware of any changes in taste, odor or coloring - alert Aline Borges, technical manager of the Municipal Sanitary Surveillance

New certification project

Carlos Lancia, president of Abinam, points out that many consumers do not know that bottles have a three year expiration date and that the same bottle can be used for several companies:

- The increase of the inspection in the sector is the best for all, including for us, producers. In Brazil, the consumer does not ask for a brand, but for mineral water, and it is important to have safety in the product.

Abinam is developing with Firjan a voluntary certification program for mineral waters. The 26 companies associated with the entity in Rio have already signed up for the project which, according to Firjan, should take 18 months to be implemented. The association is also preparing a similar project to be implemented in the states of Pernambuco and Ceará.

Certification, however, is not new to the industry. A voluntary certification program was developed by the association of manufacturers in partnership with the National Institute of Metrology (Inmetro) and launched in 2014 with a view to the international events that would be held in the country. But it did not take off. Maria Luiza Martins, from the Conformity Evaluation Board of the institute, informs that currently only two companies are certified by the agency. 

Read more: https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/defesa-do-consumidor/agua-engarrafada-nem-sempre-mineral-21433488#ixzz4jFBrC9f8

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Source: The Globe

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