Lawmakers have called for a comprehensive review of the authorities’ procurement process following allegations that a company supplied infringing mainland Chinese-branded bottled water to government offices, prompting a police investigation.

The Post also found that the directors of the company involved, Xin Ding Xin Trade, were linked to unpaid loans of HK$8 million (US$1.1 million) via another firm, just one day after its HK$52.9 million contract with the Government Logistics Department was partially terminated. This contract involved delivering 1.88 million bottles of drinking water to government offices.

The scandal emerged after police said they were investigating suspected illegal activities by the company, following government statements that it was no longer confident in the company’s ability to fulfil the contract based on recent operational information received.

In June, Xin Ding Xin secured a 36-month contract to supply “XinLe” bottled water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and the outlying islands. The company claimed the water would be manufactured by Robust (Guangdong) Drinking Water’s Guangzhou branch.

However, Robust’s legal director in Guangdong accused Xin Ding Xin of listing them as one of the manufacturers on the labels of its XinLe bottled water without authorisation. He told local media that the company had reported the matter to Hong Kong authorities and was considering administrative complaints, civil lawsuits or criminal proceedings.

The Post on Sunday contacted Robust’s customer service on WeChat, where an operator confirmed that Xin Ding Xin is not a product of the company.