Consumer Affairs Authority seizes 8,500 counterfeit water bottles

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has confiscated 8,500 bottles of water that were found to be displaying fake certification marks from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLS), according to enforcement operations conducted by the regulatory body.

The discovery highlights concerns about counterfeit product certification in Sri Lanka's bottled water sector. The seizure was made during routine compliance inspections aimed at verifying the authenticity of mandatory quality and safety certifications that protect consumers.

The SLS certification mark is a critical indicator that products meet established national standards for safety, quality, and composition. Falsifying or unauthorisedly using these marks constitutes a violation of consumer protection regulations and undermines public confidence in certified products available in the market.

The CAA has intensified surveillance of the bottled water industry to curb the distribution of products with fraudulent certifications. Consumers are advised to verify authentic SLS markings when purchasing bottled water and to report suspected counterfeit products to the authority.

Authorities have not disclosed the distributor details or origin of the seized consignment. Further investigation into the source and distribution network of the counterfeit products is ongoing.