Watsons distilled water found to contain excessive bacteria
Staff Reporter 2013-10-18 10:31
A Wastons drugstore in east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/CFP)
Distilled bottled water from Hong Kong-based drugstore chain Watsons has been found to contain excessive bacteria levels — over 80 times the standard amount, reports state-run China News Service, citing Guangzhou Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision figures.
The bureau released a report on Oct 15 after examining 239 bottled drinks manufactured by 164 companies in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong province. Approximately 18 batches did not pass pre-set safety standards, accounting for 7.5% of all the products examined.
A number of the bottled drinks contained bacteria over 100 times the safe amount. Among them, were famous brands including Watsons and Denglao Herbal Tea.
Watsons bottled water was found to fall below safety standards in a separate report released on Sept 17. Responding to the allegations, the company owned by Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Whampoa said that the issue is under investigation.
