Toxic risk from recycled bottles

NST: KOTA BARU: Some factories which bottle treated drinking water here are endangering the lives of consumers by using recycled high-density polyethylene bottles that had contained cough mixture and haemodialysis fluid.
It is learnt that the Kelantan Health Department has detected about 15 factory operators in Kota Baru, Pasir Mas and Tumpat doing this.
The factories are apparently buying the bottles from individuals who are believed to work for medical waste disposal companies that have been contracted to dispose of the bottles.
The water-filled five-litre bottles are sold at sundry shops in the State for RM4 to RM5 a bottle.
A source in the department said the plastic bottles were hard to clean and there was a possibility they might contain residues of chemicals and toxins.
"Consumers who drink the water risk getting diarrhoea and being poisoned," said the source.
State Health director Datuk Dr Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir said 14 companies had been warned against recycling the bottles.
"We have destroyed more than 2,000 bottles which we believed were going to be used by the operators. Factories which continue the practice will be shut down."
Offenders can be charged under the Food Regulations 1985, and if found guilty face a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years’ jail or both.