FDA expands heavy metal tests for sachet and bottled water

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has introduced new requirements for testing bottled and sachet drinking water for heavy metals as part of measures to safeguard consumers.

The FDA's Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Food Division, Mr Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the authority has expanded its surveillance system to include checks for contaminants such as lead in sachet and bottled water sold in Ghana.

Speaking in a radio interview on Citi FM on Tuesday [February 3, 2026], Mr Daddey-Adjei said the decision followed growing public concern about environmental pollution and its effect on drinking water.

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

“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.”

Mr Daddey-Adjei said the change means all registered water producers, including sachet and bottled water manufacturers, will now go through additional laboratory testing and routine checks.

He said the decision was informed by recent national discussions on pollution and its health implications.

“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.

Mr Daddey-Adjei said the Authority has also drawn on findings from work carried out with international and local partners.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the FDA is also engaging other state institutions in monitoring water sources and clarifying responsibilities along the 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 explained that while the FDA regulates manufactured water products such as sachet and bottled water, oversight of informal water vendors and tanker operators involves other 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 give the public more confidence in the safety of drinking water.

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

He urged the public to continue buying water from registered sources while monitoring and enforcement activities continue.