Santo Domingo.- Eddy Alcántara, the executive director of the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor), announced on Monday that the agency will take stringent measures against businesses that expose bottled water to sunlight due to the health risks it poses.
Alcántara highlighted that Pro Consumidor, during a major operation in 2021 at the start of his administration, had already urged business owners, including grocery stores, supermarkets, and warehouses, to avoid exposing bottled water to direct sunlight.
He instructed the departments of Good Commercial Practices, Inspection and Surveillance, and Consumer Education to intensify verification efforts to rectify this harmful practice.
Alcántara warned that if businesses fail to relocate water bottles to appropriate storage areas, stricter measures and sanctions, first implemented in 2021, will be enforced. These measures include recommending the removal of products from establishments that do not comply with Law 358-05 on Consumer Rights Protection.
Research indicates that bottled water exposed to sunlight can release harmful dioxins and chemicals due to sudden temperature changes. To address this, Alcántara instructed inspectors to promptly notify businesses engaging in this harmful practice.
He emphasized that all operations related to inspection, surveillance, and good business practices are ongoing to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws and the directives of Pro Consumidor’s Executive Directorate.