The Maldives Food and Drug Authority has issued an urgent public advisory warning consumers not to drink Handy Water sold in glass bottles after laboratory tests detected the presence of prohibited microorganisms.
In a statement released today, the authority confirmed that samples taken from 330 milliliter, 550 milliliter, and 1 liter glass bottles produced by the Handy Water Bottling Plant failed microbiological safety checks. The contamination was identified during routine laboratory analysis carried out by the regulator.
According to the authority, the findings show that the affected products do not comply with international drinking water quality benchmarks set by the World Health Organization. These standards require bottled water to be free from harmful microorganisms that could pose health risks to consumers.
As a precautionary measure, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority has instructed the public to immediately refrain from consuming Handy Water packaged in glass bottles until further notice. The advisory applies specifically to the three glass bottle sizes identified in the laboratory assessment.
Food safety experts note that microbial contamination in bottled water can occur due to inadequate sterilization, compromised bottling processes, or storage conditions that allow bacterial growth. Consumption of contaminated water may lead to gastrointestinal illness, particularly among children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The authority has not yet announced whether a formal recall has been initiated, but further updates are expected following ongoing investigations into the production process and distribution chain.
Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised to avoid consumption and monitor official communications for additional guidance.
