You can store your sachet
and bottled water up to 4 weeks from the date of production. A 4 – 12 weeks
shelf life for packaged drinking water is recommended.
Water is life and every
living thing depends on it for existence. Sachet water has gradually become the
most widely consumed liquid in Nigeria with varying qualities.
Olaniyan and others of the Department
of Civil Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo
State Nigeria studied Ten (10) brands of sachet water from Ogbomoso South and
North Local government area and recommended 12 weeks shelf life of water from
the date of production.
Akpen and others of the Department
of Civil Engineering, University Of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State analyzed eight
brands of sachet water and four brands of bottled water samples were collected
from different manufacturers at Gboko town, Benue State. They recommended 12
weeks shelf life.
Akinde and others of the Department
of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Osun
State University evaluated the effect of storage on the physico-chemical status
and bacteriological quality of sachet water produced in Port Harcourt. 10
brands of sachet water was studied and recommended that expiry date of sachet
water produced in Nigeria should not exceed four weeks from the date of
production
Highlight
of scholarly work
Olaniyan et.al, 2016
investigated the temporal variation in water quality of Sachet water produced
in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Ten (10) brands of sachet water from Ogbomoso South and
North Local government area were collected within 24 hours of production and
stored at standard room temperature and conditions. Sub-samples were drawn from
the stock samples on daily basis for physico-chemical measurements on the water
samples Temperature, pH, colour, turbidity, Hardness, Total Alkalinity,
Dissolve Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical Conductivity
(EC) and Nitrate - C, (7.96 - 8.80) and (20-70) Hazen, respectively. The Total
hardness EC and DO and BOD values varied from (45- 105)mg/l, (11 - 184)µs,
(2.83 - 12.24)mg/L and (18.2 - 28.4)mg/l, respectively. Shelf life for the
selected sachet water in Ogbomoso is 12 weeks from the date of production under
laboratory condition with partial exposure to sunlight.
Akpen et.al, 2018 evaluated
the quality of selected sachet and bottled water produced and sold within Gboko
town, Benue State was investigated to determine their Shelf life. Eight brands
of sachet water and four brands of bottled water samples were collected from
different manufacturers within 24 hours and stored at ambient temperature.
Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples at intervals of three weeks up to
a period of 15 weeks and subjected to physical, chemical and microbial
examination. Results for physical and chemical analysis revealed that all the
samples examined were wholesome by the 12th week of study except, samples K4and
B4 (Wishden sachet and bottled water) which had iron contents of 0.50 mg/L and
0.53 mg/L respectively which were above WHO Standard value of 0.30 mg/L. Total
and Escherichia coliforms appeared in all sachet water samples and three
bottled water samples analyzed within the first 6 weeks but were no longer
detected in any of the samples from the 12th week to the end of the
investigation period. The highest total coliform of 21 MPN/100mL and
Escherichia coli of17 cfu/100mL were recorded on the first day of production of
sachet water. It was concluded that some sachet water products consumed in
Gboko were not safe for drinking within the first 12 weeks of production. It
was recommended that sachet and bottled water produced and consumed in Gboko
can be used from the 3 and 12 weeks after production respectively up to 15
weeks. However, there is need to investigate the shelf life beyond 15 weeks to
determine the actual shelf life which may be more than 15 weeks.
Akinde et.al, 2011 highlighted
the effect of storage on the physico-chemical status and bacteriological
quality of sachet water produced in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for a period of four
months. Ten brands of sachet water were collected within 24 hours of production
and stored at ambient temperature. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock
samples on monthly basis for physico-chemical measurement and on weekly basis
for enumeration of total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and indicator organisms
using ASTM, APHA and WHO analytical methods. pH values increased in all brands
to acceptable WHO limits within 8 weeks of storage and gradually decreased
toward the end of the experiment. Dissolved oxygen, volatile organic matter and
nitrate values decreased throughout the investigation period while phosphate
and potassium values increased throughout the investigation period in all
brands tested. Total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count increased gradually
in all brands to unacceptable limit within four weeks of storage and gradually
diminished to zero level by the end of experiment. Total and faecal coliform
appeared in 40% of sachet water samples analyzed within the first three weeks
and were no longer detected throughout the investigation period. Escherichia
coli was isolated in one brand at the onset while faecal Streptococci were
absent throughout the investigation period. Results of the experiment indicate
that 60% of the brands analyzed met the WHO guideline limit for drinking when
stored at ambient temperature within four week period. However, storage beyond
this period led to diminished aesthetic quality of sachet water and increased
proliferation of bacteria to a level deleterious to human health.
References
1. Olaniyan, S. O., A. S. Adeyemi and W.O. Adeleke (2016): Determination
of Shelf Life of Selected Sachet Water in Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria. FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Volume 1, Issue 1. ISSN: 2579-0625 (Online), 2579-0617 (Paper)
2.
Akpen,
G. D., I. S. Kpoghol and L. A. Oparaku (2018): Quality
Assessment Of Sachet and Bottled Water Soldin Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH)
Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 241 – 248
3.
Akinde,
S. B., M. I. Nwachukwu and A. S. Ogamba (2011): Storage
Effects on the Quality of Sachet Water Produced within Port Harcourt
Metropolis, Nigeria. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences. Volume 4, Number 3,
ISSN 1995-6673 Pages 157 - 164
