The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, has conducted an unscheduled inspection of CWAY’s water production facility following a meeting with the company’s officials over a viral social media video and complaints concerning its bottled water.
The inspection was carried out as part of LASCOPA’s mandate to protect consumers and assess the company’s production, packaging, transportation, storage and distribution processes.
During the inspection, LASCOPA officials toured the facility and observed key stages of production, including bottle filling, capping, labelling and preparation for distribution.
The officials also observed plastic packaging materials that had been set aside for disposal after being deemed unsuitable for use.
CWAY explained that the discarded bottles are processed through a grinding machine and sold to plastic industries as raw materials. The company’s records indicate that an average of about 1,000 bottles are discarded daily.
The Director of Scientific Investigation, Research and Development at LASCOPA, Suluka Raheem, advised CWAY to ensure that all packaging materials are properly cleaned, maintained and fit for use.
Raheem also recommended the introduction of suitable handles on the bottles to minimise slippage and improve safe handling.
He further advised the company to establish an appropriate shelf-life for its bottles, after which they should be withdrawn from circulation, regardless of whether they are damaged.
The LASCOPA director also called for stronger training and sensitisation of distributors on the proper handling and storage of the products, particularly the need to prevent bottled water from being exposed to direct sunlight during transportation.
Representing the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, the Agency’s Board Secretary and Head of Legal, Arinola Momoh-Ayokanmbi, urged CWAY to adopt internationally recognised standards for the transportation, distribution and storage of its products.
She also called on the company’s management to address the observations made during the inspection and implement the recommendations issued by the Agency.
LASCOPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health, safety and interests of consumers while promoting confidence in products sold across Lagos State.
The inspection was attended by officials and management representatives of both LASCOPA and CWAY.
