Ajman authorities to keep a close watch on bottling firms

AJMAN — Following the closure of 26 water-bottling companies in Ajman this year, the Ajman Municipality will introduce more stringent conditions and hygienic regulations for bottling companies.

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Sun 25 Dec 2005, 9:48 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 7:25 PM

It will also intensify inspection campaigns to ensure that healthy drinking water is available in the emirate.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Saif Salem Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Ajman Municipality, said that around 26 water companies were shut down during this year, of which 13 were ordered to close down yesterday. Many others were warned and fined for violating health and hygiene regulations, he disclosed.

Al Shamsi explained that these companies were shut down during intensified inspection campaigns. The inspectors would visit the companies every week and take samples, which will be sent to the Central Laboratory of the municipality for analysis.

Some companies have been found to be observing the hygiene and health requirements well. The workers of the companies were issued health certificates and were ordered by the inspectors of the section to wear the municipality's uniforms.

Al Shamsi added that the municipality's inspection campaign was intensified to monitor the performance of the companies and water treatment factories which are located in the Industrial Area in Ajman.

He said inspectors from the Health Section regularly visit the factory premises, check if they comply with the rules and take samples for laboratory testing. They also ensure that the factories abide by the rules regarding labelling, caps and tamper-proof sleeve, he added.

He pointed out that the municipality has set standards for bottled water based on the requirements and descriptions of International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) for operating bottled water companies. "The HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) standard is being applied to bottled water industry," he said.

An official from the health section said that as part of the municipality's efforts to improve the situation, the laboratory launched a survey to study the functioning of the companies. The study includes evaluation of performances, standards of hygiene in the factories, quality of sterilisation machines and the methods of production process.

The study also covered the result of the water sample analyses by the laboratory during the survey process to identify malpractices by companies.

The study came out with several recommendations which were brought to the municipality's notice. The municipality warned the companies and asked them to abide by the health and hygiene regulations.

"The study was part of the municipalities’ efforts to introduce the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to ensure availability of safe drinking water and food," he said.


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