Brands/Products
LASCOPA Advises CWAY on Transportation, Distribution, Storage of Products
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The management of CWAY has been advised to adopt internationally recognised standards for the transportation, distribution and storage of its products.
This suggestion was given to the company by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) after an inspection of its facility in Lagos.
The unscheduled visit to the firm’s water production premises followed a viral social media video and complaints concerning CWAY water.
The inspection was undertaken in line with LASCOPA’s mandate to protect consumers and assess the company’s production, packaging, transportation, storage and distribution processes.
Officials of the agency inspected key stages of production, including bottle filling, capping, labelling and preparation for distribution.
It was observed that some plastic packaging materials considered unsuitable for use had been set aside for disposal, with CWAY explaining that the discarded bottles are processed through a grinding machine and sold to plastic industries as raw materials, with records indicating an average of about 1,000 bottles discarded daily.
After the inspection, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Mr Afolabi Solebo, advised the organisation to ensure that all packaging materials are properly cleaned, maintained and fit for use.
Mr Solebo, represented by the Board Secretary/Head of Legal, Mrs Arinola Momoh-Ayokanmbi, tasked the company to address the observations and implement the recommendations arising from the inspection.
Also, the Director of Scientific Investigation, Research and Development at LASCOPA, Mr Suluka Raheem, recommended that suitable handles be fitted to the bottles to minimise slippage and improve safe handling.
He further advised the company to establish an appropriate shelf-life period for bottles, after which they should be withdrawn from circulation, whether damaged or not.
He also recommended stronger capacity-building and sensitisation for distributors on proper handling and storage, particularly the need to prevent exposure to direct sunlight during transportation.
