Distributor bottling illegal water faces prosecution

 Oyebola Owolabi

THE Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) is investigating a distributor of a popular water brand, Mrs. Olufunmilola Salawu, for refilling used bottles, it was learnt.

A television report last Friday showed Mrs. Salawu’s workers refilling used CWAY’s bottles from a tap in her compound.

LASCOPA has sealed the premises.

The agency’s General Manager Mrs. Kemi Olugbode, on Wednesday, said Mrs. Salawu’s action flouted safety regulations in the food and beverage sector.

She said: “Mrs. Salawu confessed that her workers were abusing CWAY’s water bottles. Her workers were refilling used bottles straight from a tap without the company’s knowledge.

“She also does not have a proper storage facility; she uses her house and premises for storage and sales, which is against safety rules. Even the part of the house she uses is not properly demarcated as the bottles are exposed to direct sunlight, rain and even flood. These are risks to the safety of consumers.

“We are taking the recovered samples for examination and analysis, the outcome of which will help to conclude our investigations. The premises will remain shut pending the outcome of investigations. But it is certain Mrs. Salawu will be prosecuted and penalised.

“CWAY urges consumers to look out for the seal and batch number on bottles to be sure the product is genuine. We have also urged the company to engage consumers in sensitisation, educate distributors and consumers on proper handling of the product, before and after use.”

CWAY’s Head of Legal and Compliance Mrs. Taiwo Osijo reassured consumers of the company’s commitment to quality.

She said: “This situation is worrisome but we assure consumers that CWAY is committed to quality and ensuring they get the best… The company has processes to ensure we give customers and consumers the best quality.

“We are also working with regulatory agencies to ensure that our consumers are confident of our product and in prosecuting this case, we are okay with whatever the agencies, especially LASCOPA, decides to do because, for us, our consumers come first and they must get the best for trusting us.”