Distinguished Professor at IPB: Aged Water Containers Remain Safe with Proper Maintenance

NATIONAL NEWS – Professor Ahmad Sulaeman, a leading expert in food safety at IPB University, has affirmed that reusable water containers remain safe for use even after being used for many years. He stated that safety is not determined by the age of the container, but rather by how it is stored and maintained.

“Whether new or old, the potential for migration [of chemicals] remains. It’s not about age, but about the extent of exposure to environmental factors,” Ahmad said in Jakarta.

He explained that the migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from the container to the water only occurs under extreme conditions, such as when the container is exposed to high temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celsius or specific chemical conditions like acidity (pH). These conditions apply to both reusable and single-use containers.

According to Ahmad, the primary function of a water container is to protect drinking water. Therefore, the public should pay attention to the storage location, the physical condition of the container, and the length of time the water is stored inside.

“The key is how to care for the container, not how many times it has been filled or how long it has been used,” he said.

He also mentioned that there is no standard limit regarding the lifespan or number of refills for a water container. As long as it is odourless, undamaged, and uncontaminated, the container is considered still suitable for use.

From an industrial perspective, Ahmad said that bottled water manufacturers conduct inspections before refilling containers. Containers that no longer meet the standards are immediately destroyed.

“They first check its suitability. If it is still in good condition, it is used; if not, it is immediately destroyed,” he said.

He added that tests on the number of refills are also continuously conducted to ensure that the quality of the container and the water remains maintained. So far, BPA migration is said to remain below the safe threshold set by BPOM (the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority).

“As long as it is used according to the rules, it remains within the safe limit,” said Ahmad. (*)

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