Ethiopian Beverage Manufacturing Industries Association stated that colored water bottles would be out of market very soon. According to the association’s General Manger, Ashenafi Merid, a decision was taken in July this year to replace colored water bottles with colorless water bottles after a study conducted by the Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Development Institute concluded that masterbatch (MB), a water bottle colorant widely used in Ethiopia, negatively affected the environment.

Based on the recommendations of the institute, stakeholders from the water bottling industry and Government bodies passed a decision to stop using MB starting from October 11, 2022. The Environmental Protection Authority is now in the process to oversee the implementation of the decision.

It is reported that USD 100 million would be saved if companies fully abandoned the use of MB.

Source: Capital Ethiopia