GEORGE TOWN, May 14 – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has raised serious concerns about the widespread consumption of bottled water in Malaysia, warning that it may be neither safer nor healthier than tap water and poses significant environmental harm.
With Malaysians consuming an average of 150 litres of bottled water annually, CAP highlights alarming findings of microplastics, toxic chemicals, and bacterial contamination in bottled brands—issues linked to health conditions such as hormone disruption and liver failure.
Environmentally, the production, transport, and disposal of plastic bottles contribute heavily to pollution, with bottles taking centuries to degrade and releasing toxic emissions when incinerated.
CAP urges the government and institutions to ban bottled water in public facilities, invest in drinking water infrastructure, and promote the use of safe, refillable containers, calling it a critical step toward a healthier population and a cleaner planet.
