The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) has officially lifted the production suspension and market distribution ban on “Fine” packaged drinking water, manufactured by Ash Package Water Manufacturing PLC in Burayu, Oromia region. The regulatory decision follows comprehensive follow-up inspections and laboratory testing confirming that the company successfully resolved critical manufacturing defects and met all mandatory national health, safety, and quality standards.
The initial regulatory intervention was triggered by a public report alleging the presence of visible foreign particles within sealed bottles of “Fine” packaged water belonging to Batch 620. Following the tip-off, EFDA inspectors conducted a targeted audit at the manufacturing facility, identifying significant compliance gaps in standard manufacturing procedures. Consequently, the authority mandated an immediate cessation of production, ordered a complete market recall of the compromised batch, and collected samples for laboratory examination.
In response to the administrative sanctions, Ash Package Water Manufacturing PLC submitted official documentation on March 5, 2026 , confirming the rectification of process failures and the full retrieval of Batch 620 from distribution channels. Subsequent on-site evaluations conducted by regulatory officers on March 9, 2026 (Yekatit 30, 2018 Ethiopian Calendar) verified that primary hygiene and operational defects had been corrected. Comprehensive physical, chemical, and microbiological laboratory testing of product samples further confirmed compliance with national drinking water parameters.
In an official communique signed by Mulatu Tesfaye, Lead Executive for Food Inspection and Law Enforcement at the EFDA, the authority formally authorized the resumption of manufacturing operations and released previously held product inventories for commercial distribution. However, regulatory officials emphasized that the manufacturer must continuously address minor secondary recommendations and maintain strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to prevent recurring operational deficiencies and guarantee sustained consumer safety.
Empowered under Proclamation No. 1112/2011, the EFDA maintains regulatory oversight over food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products distributed across Ethiopia to safeguard public health. Authority representatives reiterated the critical role of public vigilance and consumer reporting in maintaining market compliance, highlighting that timely reports from citizens remain an indispensable pillar of Ethiopia’s public safety and regulatory enforcement framework.