Woman, 80, Allegedly Sold Tap and River Water as Bottled Mineral Water Outside Shanghai Park for 30 Years
An 80-year-old woman in Shanghai has allegedly spent decades selling ordinary tap and river water in reused branded mineral water bottles to unsuspecting visitors outside a popular animal park.
The practice reportedly continued for around 30 years before once again drawing public attention after a tourist claimed the water tasted unusual.
Authorities had previously been alerted to the woman’s activities, but the alleged sales reportedly continued despite repeated warnings.
Tourist Became Suspicious After Drinking the Water
The incident resurfaced after a visitor purchased two bottles of water from the woman for 10 yuan (approximately S$1.90) on July 29.
After taking a drink, the tourist noticed that the water had an unusual taste. Upon inspecting the bottles more closely, the buyer discovered that each carried different manufacturing dates, raising concerns that the contents may not have been genuine bottled mineral water.
The tourist later suspected that the bottles had been refilled rather than containing factory-sealed drinking water.
The allegations quickly spread online, prompting renewed discussion about the long-running practice.
Reports Claim the Practice Has Continued for Years
According to Chinese media reports, the woman’s activities had already been exposed publicly in September 2025.
At that time, some of the bottles she was allegedly selling reportedly contained cloudy water and visible sediment, fuelling concerns over possible health risks.
Local authorities were said to have repeatedly advised her to stop selling the refilled bottles. However, enforcement proved challenging.
Officials claimed that whenever they attempted to intervene, the elderly woman would allegedly lie down on the ground, making it difficult to take further action due to her age.
Authorities Looking at Preventive Measures
Officials said they intend to work with the village where the woman lives in an effort to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The case has sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, with many questioning how the alleged practice could have continued for so many years without being permanently stopped.
Consumers have also been reminded to purchase bottled drinks only from reputable retailers and to check that bottle caps and seals are intact before consuming the contents, particularly when buying from unofficial roadside vendors.
While investigations and follow-up measures continue, the incident has highlighted the importance of food and beverage safety, especially in busy tourist areas where visitors may unknowingly purchase products from unlicensed sellers.