REGULARISE YOUR OPERATIONS (PAGE 29)

PRODUCERS of sachet water, popularly called “pure water”, in the Tamale metropolis are likely to fold up in the near future if they continue to operate without permits or certification from the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and the Food and Drugs Board (FDB).
The Northern Regional Officer of the GSB, Mr Francis Luguwuu, told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that on paper, the board was aware of only “Voltic and Aquaba” water sachet brands as the only products in the metropolis that had been certified by the board.
According to him, most of the producers were allegedly “cutting corners” in order to avoid going through the laid down procedures that would ensure that they produced wholesome sachet water for sale.
“Although the business is flourishing in the Tamale metropolis, producers of such items are expected to contact the GSB first and after the acquisition of their certificates register with the FDB,” Mr Luguwuu said.
According to him, the GSB had not been given the mandate to prosecute those producers found violating the rules and regulations.
“The fact is that we cannot guarantee the safety of the water without any certification; we want them to improve upon their products to enable them to have leverage on the market,” he pointed out.
The officer further said testing of the water sachet products lasted between five and seven weeks, stressing that “if you intend to sell water, you have to come to us so that we inspect your premises, environment and medical certificate”.
He said such measures were important to help ensure that the sachet water produced was wholesome.
The officer also expressed regret that some producers of sachet water in the metropolis were found to be storing water in underground cement reservoirs, which was not the best.
Mr Luguwuu further explained that “producers must give us samples of their first products for testing in Accra”.
He stressed the need for the FDB and GSB to collaborate more effectively to help address the production and sale of unwholesome sachet water in the metropolis.
Touching on the production of gas cylinders and the siting of gas filling stations in the metropolis, Mr Luguwuu said consumers of gas could also send their cylinders to the GSB for testing to ascertain whether they met the approved standards.
“Motorists who buy fuel can also demand the visu gauge, which is a measuring can, to ascertain whether they are being cheated or not; it is the responsibility of fuel filling stations to consider the request of the motorists,” he stressed.
Some residents in the metropolis have, however, called on the authorities to intensify education on the need for water sachet producers to acquire the required certification before going into production.