24 brands of bottled water found unsafe.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) identified 24 brands of bottled water as unsafe for human consumption due to microbiological or chemical contamination.

The government, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, has assigned the task to the PCRWR for quarterly monitoring of bottled or mineral water brands and publicising the results in the best interest of public health.

For the 1st quarter of the year 2023 (January to March), PCRWR collected 174 samples of mineral/bottled water brands from 21 cities. Out of total of 174 samples, 24 brands were declared unsafe after testing as per quality standards of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), a press release on Monday said.

Ten brands include, Natural Pure Life, Indus, Barsay, Pure Life, Aqua Sharav, Al Saeed Water Life, Blue Plus, Natural Punjab, Vivo Water, Best Natural) were found to be unsafe due to the presence of higher levels of sodium, one brand (Imperial Water) was found unsafe due...