Call for swifter action on contaminated water

THE CONSUMERS’ Association of Ireland (CAI) and Fine Gael have called for new procedures to ensure that consumers are informed quickly of threats to their health from contamination of bottled waters.

Both organisations responded to articles in yesterday's Irish Timesabout delays in the publication of a Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) report showing significant levels of contamination of bottled waters by expressing concern about the protection afforded to consumers.

However, the food authority defended its approach, and in particular its refusal to name the producers of tainted bottles of water, saying there was no danger to human health.

The consumers’ group expressed concern about the delay in publishing the report and said the safety of consumers should always come before the interests of producers and retailers.

“Putting consumer interests first and foremost is one of the key functions of the FSAI and when issues of public health are at stake no compromise or delay is acceptable,” said the association’s chairman James Doorley.

“I accept that they have to verify results to avoid unnecessary public alarm, but in this case it was clear that some samples were unfit for human consumption and the report should have been published immediately.”

Fine Gael’s food spokesman, Andrew Doyle, said “zero tolerance” should be the starting point for standards on bottled water.