The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended licences for 369 water bottling firms which have violated the water standards.
Some of these violations include, companies operating without valid permits from KEBS and noncompliance to requirements of the relevant water standards such as the code of hygiene, using unsafe sources of water, poor and misleading labeling.
The suspension comes in the wake of complaints from consumers on the quality of bottled water which has been in the market.
Speaking during a meeting attended by over 400 water manufacturing firms in Kenya, KEBS Managing Director, Charles Ongwae, said there has been an upsurge of unscrupulous water bottling firms which are not adhering to the laid down standards and procedures.
Data from the bureau shows that there are only 600 authorized bottlers in Kenya.
Managing director Charles Ongwae said plans are at an advanced stage to introduce a local secured standardization mark.
Commissioner general John Njiraini said they are keen on taming the sector to ensure customers receive quality products and taxes are paid.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards suspended the licences of 369 water bottlers for failing to meet quality standards.
“The affected companies should stop producing and selling bottled water immediately,” Ongwae told a water forum that KEBS organised in Nairobi on Wednesday.
See the full list of the suspended water bottlers here.