One in five drinking water machines in Jing'an District produced water that had bacteria above the allowable standard, quality tests showed.

City quality authorities yesterday inspected residents' drinking water in Jing'an.

The Shanghai Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision said many families or office buildings didn't clean water machines regularly, causing excessive bacteria in the water.

The bureau tested water from 60 machines in homes and offices and found 20 percent had a bacteria index exceeding the standard.

The bureau also swooped on three establishments selling inferior or illegal products - a timely reminder that it was World Consumers' Rights Day on Saturday.

The Shanghai Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision seized more than 1,770 cell-phone battery chargers at the Dipingxian Communication Products Market near the Shanghai Railway Station.

Officials examined 11 chargers from two stores in the market.

Eight failed tests and were deemed to be likely to either catch fire or cause electric shocks.

In the Hongkou branch of hypermarket chain Shiji Lianhua, bureau officers seized 53 power inverters they said were likely to short-circuit or catch fire.

The bureau also raided a premises on Changzhong Road in Zhabei District where a family was processing roast ducks.

The environment there was described by inspectors as "horrible," with raw ducks placed on the ground in filthy water.

The property owner had no business license or health certificate.

Officials confiscated 81 half-roasted ducks and more than 20 kilograms of flavoring.

Yesterday, Xinmin Evening News, a sister newspaper of Shanghai Daily, opened a phone hotline (12365) to take calls from consumers about product quality.

(Shanghai Daily March 17, 2008)