Valpré is a case of local is lekker

Consumer Commission probes origin as consumers query barcode.

- Ina Opperman

Consumers do not have to worry: Valpré water, bottled by Coca-Cola, is indeed from South Africa and is not imported from another country - and it is the real deal.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) investigated the origin and authenticity of Valpré Water after queries from consumers.

They had noticed that the barcode on the bottles did not start with 600, which is usually associated with barcodes for products made in South Africa.

Phetho Ntaba, spokesperson for the NCC, said the NCC proactively engaged the company to seek clarity on the matter.

Coca-Cola then issued a statement to explain that Valpré Water comes from a source at Lagerspoort in Heidelberg, which is about 50km southeast of Johannesburg.

The company said that it carries the barcode 5449000107664 which is part of the GS1 system, an international standard for product tracking to identify and track its products.

Ntaba said the company uses internationally acquired GS1 barcodes and those acquired in South Africa for their products produced in South Africa.