Determination of Shelf Life of Packaged Water in Selected Water Packaging Factories, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water is critical for human survival. Therefore, its quality and safety are non-negotiable, especially in packaged forms like sachets and bottles. However, when human beings consume unsafe water, they become prone to waterborne diseases which could result in deaths. Therefore, this study investigated the shelf life of packaged water from four selected water packaging factories in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, labeled samples A, B, C and D. Selected physicochemical and microbial analyses were carried out on water samples monthly for three months according to American Public Health Association standards, to assess any changes over the three months. Results indicated that while most samples met the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum standards for drinking water quality, still notable variations were observed as the months of analyses progressed. Sachet water samples exhibited more significant reduction in physicochemical and microbial quality compared with bottled water samples. This study concludes that sample A recorded the best results comparatively. Also, shelf life of sachet water is relatively shorter compared with bottled water, with a suggested storage period of three months under typical room and tropical conditions to ensure safety and quality. These findings emphasize the need for more quality control measures, better storage practices and frequent factory monitoring to ensure safety of packaged drinking water. The study recommends that regulatory agencies better enforce existing water packaging guidelines, while packaging factories should also adopt improved packaging and handling processes to enhance shelf life of their products.