It is a warning that the producers have heard before as some consumers have complained of the low quality of some bottled water products.
Dr. Bethel’s warning came during a one-day national seminar for bottled water producers at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel in downtown Nassau.
“This is a very serious and awesome responsibility,” he said. “It highlights the need to have standards of excellence established and enforced, from which there can be no wavering or deviation. After all, it concerns the health of individuals and the reputation of this country. The stakes in this instance are very high.”
Under the theme, “Facing Global Standards of Production and Service”, Monday’s seminar stressed the importance of good quality water to human health.
Adopting a no-nonsense approach to the low quality standards, Minister Bethel reminded participants that they are not just part of profitable business ventures, but also play a critical role in the health and well being of many persons.
The lack of good quality water can lead to a number of ailments, including dehydration, heart exhaustion, poor circulation and digestion, kidney disease and skin disorders.
According to the Health Minister, water borne illnesses like diarrhea, vomiting, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and salmonella are responsible for 80 percent of diseases in developing countries like The Bahamas.
Minister Bethel encouraged the participants to capitalize on the opportunity to understand, upgrade and uplift their respective businesses.
“We want to partner with you to change some of the non-productive habits of this industry. …Exercise due diligence and prudence in collecting, storing and bottling all water. Do not allow the lure of increasing profits to cause you jeopardize the safety of our water or the health and well-being of our people or visitors,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Perry Christie officially opened the event.
He challenged the bottled water producers to go beyond what they are required to do in production and service to customers.
At the same time, he said, the government must ensure that all of its 300,000-plus citizens and its over three million tourists each year have access to drinking water of acceptable standards and quality.
“There is no doubt that we in The Bahamas must come to understand that it’s a sad day when everyone else in the region has done something and we’re just in the process of thinking it or doing something about it. And it comes down to the basic and fundamental protection of one’s health,” he said.
Last week, Members of Parliament began debating a bill that would establish a bureau to promote high standards in relation to commodities, processes, services and practices.
While stressing the importance of maintaining high quality goods in the country, the prime minister also noted that bottled drinking water must also be made available at a reasonable cost.
“The regulation of this industry, for the sake of our natural environment, our people’s good health and our commitments to our global partners – especially those to come in the World Trade Organization (WHO) – must be on par, if not beyond, those who produce like products elsewhere in the world,” he said.
There are currently 27 bottled water producers throughout The Bahamas;10 in New Providence and 17, in Grand Bahama, Bimini, Long Island, Abaco, Andros, Exuma, Eleuthera and Cat Island.
Macushla Pinder, The Bahama Journal
