Editorials

EDITORIAL: Tighter regulation a must

dasani

Bottles of Dasani water. PHOTO | AFP

The largest investigation of its kind into select bottled water brands has revealed that most are contaminated by tiny pieces of plastic.

Results of the study have shocked many around the world and sent some of the affected firms scrambling to save their image.

While it is not yet clear what effect consuming microplastics has on the human body, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced investigations into the potential risks of plastic in drinking water.

Closer home, there is need for a study into the quality of bottled water that Kenyans are consuming.

Many believe standards are assured as long as it’s picked from a supermarket shelf and it is a well-known brand.

READ: Coca-Cola to conduct its own study on Dasani plastic claims

The Ministry of Health and Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) would need to reassure consumers that beverages packaged in plastic, not just water, are safe for consumption.

But it’s not just microplastics we should be worried about; a Nigerian court had ruled that a soda bottling firm in the country posed a health risk due to dangerous levels of benzoic acid and additives.

This points to the need for tighter regulation and regular testing of industrial products.