Hong Kong consumer watchdog apologises after Chinese drink giant Nongfu Spring slams ‘unscientific report’
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has issued an apology after mainland Chinese beverage giant Nongfu Spring hit back at an “unscientific” report published by the body about bottled water.
In a statement on Thursday, the Consumer Council said it had launched “in-depth research and follow up” after receiving a legal letter from Nongfu Spring, adding that it had met the company’s representatives on Wednesday.
Nongfu Spring’s actions came after the Council Council published a report on Monday, which assessed the chemical components of 30 brands of bottled water. They included local brands Watsons Water and VITA, as well as bottled water from mainland Chinese and international companies.
The report noted that the amount of bromate found in two mainland Chinese brands of bottled water, Nongfu Spring and Ganten, was 3 micrograms per litre, the European Union (EU) limit.
The watchdog said excessive intake of bromate, a disinfection by-product, could cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
In Thursday’s statement, the Consumer Council said its assessment had been based on the classification of Nongfu Spring as natural mineral water, and the corresponding EU quality standards were applied.
But after meeting with Nongfu Spring, the Consumer Council said it understood that the company’s bottled water “was not ‘natural mineral water,’ or ‘purified drinking water,’ but was ‘natural drinking water’.”
“As such, [the watchdog] has reclassified the sample in an independent category [called] ‘natural drinking water’ and re-evaluated its rating,” the Consumer Council wrote.
Since the EU’s standards for bromate in natural drinking water is 10 micrograms a litre, Nongfu Springs’ bromate levels of 3 micrograms a litre put its bottled water within range, the watchdog added.
The rating for Nongfu Spring bottled water was increased from a four-and-a-half stars to five stars.
The Consumer Council reiterated that all 30 bottled water samples tested had satisfied chemical safety standards, with no harmful substances found to be over limit.
‘Extremely unscientific and imprecise’
Headquartered in Hangzhou, Nongfu Spring is mainland China’s largest bottled water supplier. It went public in 2020 and achieved a record-breaking IPO, according to media reports.
On Tuesday, the company posted the full legal letter to the Consumer Council accusing the watchdog of using incorrect standards, as well as language that was “unprofessional” and “with the intention of misleading.”
The letter said its bottled water was made and sold in the mainland and Hong Kong, and should therefore be assessed according to the city’s standards. Using “third-party standards” was “not appropriate” and would lead to conclusions that are “extremely unscientific and imprecise.”
Nonetheless, it added that Nongfu Spring bottled water met EU standards “for such products.”
“The council’s actions have already caused great negative impact to Nongfu Spring. Nongfu Spring warns the council to please clarify and apologise… or else Nongfu Spring will take further action,” the letter read.
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council conducts regular tests of consumer goods and services. Alongside drinking water, the watchdog also looked at hair styling products, moving companies and children’s playhouse facilities.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.