The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expanded its regulatory requirements for sachet and bottled drinking water to include mandatory testing for heavy metals, as part of efforts to protect public health.

The FDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Food Division, Mr. Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the new measures will subject all registered water producers to additional laboratory analysis and routine surveillance checks.

Speaking in a radio interview on Citi FM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Mr. Daddey-Adjei said the decision was taken in response to growing public concern about environmental pollution and its potential impact on drinking water quality.

“What we have done is that, for potable water, we have added the requirement to also check for heavy metals,” he said.

According to him, while heavy metal testing has always been part of the standards for mineral water, the requirement did not previously apply to ordinary potable water such as sachet water.

“For mineral water, heavy metal testing is already part of the standard. For ordinary potable water, where that requirement did not previously exist, it has now been added,” he explained.

Mr. Daddey-Adjei said the new policy means all registered sachet and bottled water producers will undergo enhanced testing before and after product approval.

The FDA official said the move was informed by recent national discussions on pollution and its health implications, as well as findings from studies conducted in collaboration with both local and international partners.

“The issue of heavy metals has become a serious concern. Based on recent developments in the country, we have stepped up the requirements,” he said.

He cited research conducted with UNICEF which revealed worrying levels of lead exposure among some children, underscoring the urgency of stricter controls.

“We have done some work with UNICEF, which showed that lead levels in some children are worrying. That points to how serious the matter is,” Mr. Daddey-Adjei added.

The FDA, he said, is also working with other state institutions to improve monitoring of water sources and clarify responsibilities across the water supply chain.

“There are ongoing discussions between the FDA and local government on water suppliers, where they source their water from, the condition of the tankers they use, and whether the water supplied is safe,” he said.

Mr. Daddey-Adjei noted that while the FDA regulates manufactured water products such as sachet and bottled water, oversight of informal water vendors and tanker operators falls under the mandate of other regulatory agencies.

“At the moment, there is no full assurance that water fetched by some suppliers comes from safe sources. These issues are being discussed so clear rules and duties are set out,” he said.

He said the introduction of heavy metal testing is intended to boost public confidence in drinking water safety.

“All registered water, whether bottled or sachet, is now being checked so harmful substances are not passed on to consumers,” he said.

Mr. Daddey-Adjei urged the public to continue purchasing water from FDA-registered sources while enforcement and monitoring efforts are intensified.

Source By BigTimezGH.com