Umrah firms warned against supplying fake Zamzam bottles

The Ministry of Haj recently detected the distribution of Zamzam bottles inconsistent with the specifications of the King Abdullah Bottled Zamzam Water Project, which the ministry distributes to the pilgrims on their departure from the Kingdom.
A ministry source said that the official body has warned Haj and Umrah firms against promoting the sales of these fake bottles to worshippers inside their lodgings.
“Further search operations and investigations revealed that the fake bottles are being supplied by unlicensed individuals at pilgrims’ accommodations,” the source said.
The National Water Company (NWC) is the sole operator for the Zamzam water project which, in compliance with the requirements of the air cargo security committee, allows pilgrims to carry 5-liter bottles of the sacred water through the Kingdom’s airports.
The King Abdullah Bottled Zamzam Water Project aims to provide pilgrims with the holy water in an organized and efficient manner. The project produces 5,000 cubic meters of Zamzam water daily and 200,000 plastic bottles with a volume of 5 liters each at a total cost of SR700 million.
The project was inaugurated during the holy month of Ramadan in 2009 and includes 42 distribution points.