Reusing Mineral Water Bottles Can Cause Cancer: Punjab Food Authority

If you use old mineral water bottles at home, stop right now. Using them multiple times can lead to an increased risk of cancer according to a public service announcement by Punjab Food Authority (PFA). The PFA suggests that mineral water bottles should be crushed after being used once.

The announcement was issued under the Act 2011 Section 2(b) of the Punjab Food Authority.

Cancer Causing Agent

The general public were warned by the authority that mineral/drinking water bottles have a chemical in the plastic called Bisphenol A. Using the bottle more than once causes the chemical to mix with the water. Bisphenol A or BPA can cause cancer. The bottles should be bored and crushed after use so that they cannot be filled again.

Companies that make bottled water were officially ordered to include a warning on 10% of the label to crush the bottle after use. The order was issued under the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017.

The companies have been given a duration of 2 months, with the exact deadline being 30th August 2017, to follow through with the orders. Failure to comply will result in legal action by the PFA.

Many households re-use these bottles for storing drinking water. This is a serious health risk and should be avoided at all costs. It is unclear whether cola or soft drink bottles also contain this chemical however you should be vigilant and avoid using them until they are deemed safe for use by the PFA.

Raids in Ramzan

The authority carried out a number of raids during the holy month of Ramzan.

A number of sweetmeat and “mithai” production units were sealed in addition to seizing around 25,000 litres of substandard milk from various cities in Punjab.

Read More: Punjab Food Authority Destroys 25,000 Liters of Substandard Milk

Via Punjab Food Authority on Facebook

A techie, gamer, and Senior Editor at ProPakistani.


    • nice query….!!! its just a PK Authority… JO KAAM KRNAY KAY HAIN US KI TARF TWAJJO KRAIN TA K LOG PFA WALON KI BAT KI KOI EHMIYAT SMJHAIN…

    • Good question. I think the initial filled water is mineralized which has tendency to fight BPA and house hold water lacks that power. But this thing must b probed.

      • I do not think so. Minerals fighting BPA.. no, but the other explanation is better.. since on first use the plastic is new so it release least quantities of BPA.

    • Google it a bit.

      All those containers which are made from polycarbonate plastics contain BPA. This BPA can seep into the food albeit in low quantities. Thing is, when we start reusing that plastic bottle again and again which was not intended function, plastic degrades and hence releasing more BPA.

      Jo hum peete hain mineral water ki bottles, unme bi hta h BPA but in negligible quantity which is harmless.

      • so does it apply to the bottles of coke and pepsi which are extensively reused in household? Thanks for the answer btw.

        • Searching about this turned up that Pepsi and Coca Cola utilize polyethylene terephtahalate (PET) bottles which don’t contain BPA.

          On the other hand, aluminum cans still contain BPA as their inner lining.

          Considering these big corporations, I think it is safe to assume that we cant ever be actually safe. It would be better that if we do use those plastic bottles then we should scrap them after using them for a few times.

  • Just asking for my knowledge, is that equally applicable on PET soda bottles as well?

    • Chemical Bottle k ander nahin balky baahir lga hota hai. Jb usy refill kiya jata hai tu woh chemical water mein mix hony k chances zyada ho jaaty hain.

      • Bahar? Andar? There is no such thing as andr or bahar.

        It is found in polycarbonate plastics and these are used as containers for storing food, such as water bottles.

  • Not exactly, especially if you’re using a disposable water bottle that isn’t really meant to be used more than once. In an article in a 2007 issue of the journal Practical Gastroenterology, experts pointed out that commercial bottled water manufacturers don’t recommend that consumers reuse their disposable bottles. That’s because “everyday wear and tear from repeated washings and reuse can lead to physical breakdown of the plastic, such as visible thinning or cracks. Bacteria can harbor in the cracks, posing a health risk,” they wrote. In addition, “reuse of plastic water bottles can lead to bacterial contamination unless washed regularly,” which entails washing the bottle with mild soap, rinsing it well (but not with extremely hot water) and making sure there is no “physical breakdown prior to use.”

  • What about the Nestle 19 liter Water bottle that we give them for refill to get the new one ????

    • Years ago I confirmed from Nestle Pakistan and they said their 19 liter bottles do have BPA. According to them BPA causes no harm. Off course all the international research is of no meanin for them and the people of Pakistan. Ignorance is bliss until cancer or other calamity gets you.

  • Can they also provide any solution for that, do every plastic bottle has BPA. Then which container do we use to store water ?

  • I work in PET firm. There is shell life of PET bottle after that it should be not to use. Where as the question not react with first time, its quantity is in the range, till its shell life. CSD bottle have higher tendencey rather than mineral water bottle.

  • It has a wear and tear factor also which causes releasing that BPA into refilled water.

  • Ban the bottles and give us clean water via the taps! stupid punjab govt. when we go out we will fill our safe bottles via the tap.

  • By the way a little Googling will tell you that BPA is EVERYWHERE

    You know those thermal paper printed receipts you get from ATM or from credit/debit card payment machines? Yes, BPA everywhere in them.

  • Ahh! A few days ago restaurants were in the focus and now this news….What you can get pure here? These bottle companies have certifications given by the government. I cant afford to take tap water with me during my exercise. Now way sorry.


  • Get Alerts

    Follow ProPakistani to get latest news and updates.


    ProPakistani Community

    Join the groups below to get latest news and updates.



    >