DILI, 26 June 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste authorities have declared the Indonesian-produced mineral water brand ‘Aquase’ is completely unsafe for human consumption due to chemical contamination.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has officially suspended the sale of 1,500-milliliter bottles of Aquase-branded mineral water, citing concerns over chemical contamination, Manuela da Silva, National Director of Commercial Regulation has said.
The government has instructed authorities to seize all Aquase-branded bottled water, urging consumers to immediately stop consuming the product.
Silva explained that the decision was based on laboratory results confirming the presence of harmful substances in the product, rendering it unsafe for human consumption
“We urge the public not to drink Aquase water. We are working with law enforcement authorities to remove the product from store shelves,” she said during a press conference held in Dili, on Thursday.
The decision was prompted by consumer complaints, which led authorities to collect product samples for testing. On June 10, the samples were analyzed at the National Public Health Institute Laboratory (INSP-TL), where tests confirmed the presence of harmful contaminants.
Crispim Afonso, a technician from INSP-TL, stated that the substances detected in Aquase water could pose serious health risks, potentially affecting the brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.
Journalist: Jesuína Xavier
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
