What is Bottled Water?
Water is classified as "bottled water" if
it meets all applicable federal and state standards, is sealed in a sanitary container and is
sold for human consumption. Bottled water cannot contain
sweeteners or chemical additives (other than flavors, extracts or essences) and must
be calorie-free and sugar-free. Flavor extracts and essences
derived from spice or fruit can be added to bottled water, but these additions must
comprise less than one percent by weight of the final product. Beverages
containing more than the one-percent-by-weight flavor limit are classified
as soft drinks, not bottled water. In addition, bottled water may be
sodium-free or contain "very low" amounts of sodium. Some bottled waters contain
natural or added carbonation.
What are the different types
of bottled water?
There are several different varieties of bottled
water. The product may be labeled as bottled water, drinking water or any of the
following terms. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) product definitions
for bottled water are:
Artesian
Water/Artesian Well Water:
Bottled water from a well that taps a confined
aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand) in which the water
level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer.
Mineral
Water:
Bottled water containing not less than 250 parts
per million total dissolved solids may be labeled as mineral water. Mineral
water is distinguished from other types of bottled water by its constant level
and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence
from the source. No minerals can be added to this product.
Purified
Water:
Water that has been produced by distillation,
deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable processes and that meets the
definition of purified water in the United States. Pharmacopia may be labeled as
purified bottled water. Other suitable product names for bottled water treated
by one of the above processes may include "distilled water" if it is
produced by distillation, "deionized water" if the water is produced
by deionization, or "reverse osmosis water" if the process used is
reverse osmosis. Alternatively "__________ drinking water" can be used
with the blank being filled in with one of the terms defined in this paragraph
(e.g. "purified drinking water" or "distilled drinking
water").
Sparkling
Bottled Water:
Water that after treatment and possible replacement
with carbon dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at
emergence from the source. (An important note: soda water, seltzer water and
tonic water are not considered bottled water. They are regulated separately, may
contain sugar and calories, and are considered soft drinks.)
Spring
Water:
Bottled water derived from an underground formation
from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water must
be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground
formation finding the spring. There must be a natural force causing the water to
flow to the surface through a natural orifice. Spring water collected with the
use of an external force must be from the same underground stratum as the spring
and must have all the physical properties, before treatment, and be of the same
composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface of the
earth.
Well Water:
Bottled water from a hole hole drilled or otherwise
constructed in the ground, which taps the water of an aquifer.
How do I know my bottled
water is safe?
level by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and on the state level
by state officials. This ensures that all bottled water sold in the United States meets
these stringent standards. In addition, members of the International Bottled
Water Association (IBWA), who produce about 85% of the bottled water sold in the
United States, must meet strict industry standards established by the
association. These standards, contained in the IBWA "Model Code,"
exceed the FDA regulations currently in place for bottled water. To ensure that
all their bottled Water is as safe as possible and of the highest quality, all
IBWA members use one or more of the following multi-barrier practices: source
protection and monitoring, reverse osmosis, distillation, filtration, ozonation
and disinfection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), bottled water has never been responsible for an outbreak of waterborne
illness.
How is bottled water
different from tap water?
Bottled water is different from tap water in many
different ways. The big difference between the two is the source of the water.
While municipalities generally draw their water supply from surface water which
may be subject to contamination, most bottled water (more than 75%) comes from
protected, underground sources.
Another noticeable difference is the fact that
bottled water does not contain any chlorine. In place of chlorine, some bottlers
use ozone, a form of oxygen or ultraviolet light as the final disinfecting
agent. Chlorinated water sometimes contains an off taste, and many consumers
prefer the taste of bottled water where no trace of chlorine is found.
I've read about the parasite
Cryptosporidium being found in tap water. What is it?
Cryptosporidium is a waterborne parasite that lives
in animals and can be passed into the water through their waste. Cryptosporidium
oocysts from animal wastes have been found in rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs
and many other types of surface water.
How do I know that
Cryptosporidium is not in my bottled water?
For starters, bottled water companies are required
to use approved sources.
There are two types of sources from which bottled
water can be drawn; the first type are natural sources (i.e., springs and
wells). By law, these sources must be protected from surface intrusion and other
enviornmental influences. This requirement ensures that surface water
contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia are not present.
The second source water type is approved potable
municipal supplies. Bottled water companies that use these sources reprocess
this water using methods such as distillation, reverse osmosis, deionization and
filtration. This ensures that the finished product is very different in
composition and taste from the original source water.
All IBWA member companies that use municipal
supplies are encouraged to employ at least one of the three processing methods
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for
effective removal of microbial (surface water) contaminants, including
Cryptosporidium. These processing methods are reverse osmosis, one micron
absolute filtration, and distillation.
Is bottled water regulated?
The bottled water industry is regulated on four
levels: federal, state, industry association and individual company. Federal
regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) coupled with state
and industry standards, offer consumers assurance that the bottled water they
purchase is stringently regulated, tested, and of the highest quality. The
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has been a long-standing
proponent of additional federal regulations for bottled water and has been very
active at all levels of local, state and federal government assisting in the
development of such regulations.
Federal
Regulations:
Bottled water is regulated as a food product by the
FDA. Bottled water companies must adhere to the FDA's Good Manufacturing
Practices, Quality Standards, and Standards of Identity.
Quality
Standards:
All bottled water products must comply with the
FDA's Quality Standards in Section 103.35(d)(2) of Title 21 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR). These standards, along with the FDA's Good
Manufacturing Practices, ensure the safety of all bottled water products from
production to packaging to consumption.
Labeling
Regulations:
FDA's labeling rules for bottled water establish
standards of identity and standardized definitions for terms found on bottled
water labels such as "spring," "artesian," "well,"
"mineral," "purified," and "distilled." Seltzer,
soda water, and tonic water are considered soft drinks; they are excluded from
these regulations.
Good
Manufacturing Practices:
Bottled water is subject to both General Food Good
manufacturing practices (GMPs) and GMPs specific to bottled water processing and
bottling. General food GMPs govern such areas as plant and ground maintenance,
sanitary maintenance of buildings and fixtures, and sanitary facilities,
including water supply, plumbing and sewage disposal. Bottled water GMPs provide
detailed regulations governing plant construction and design, sanitary
facilities and operations, equipment design and construction, production and
process controls specific to the production and processing of bottled drinking
water, and record keeping.
European
Union:
All European exporters must meet the federal and
state standards as applicable. They must also meet strict standards set by the
European Union. International bottler members that sell products in the U.S must
submit a certificate of inspection to IBWA.
State
Standards:
In addition to FDA's extensive regulatory
requirements, the bottled water industry is subject to state regulatory
requirements. A significant responsibility of the state is inspecting, sampling,
analyzing and approving sources of water. Under the federal GMP's, only approved
sources of water can be used to supply a bottling plant. Another area in which
some states have important responsibilities that complement federal regulation
is th certification of testing laboratories. As with any food establishment, the
states perform unannounced spot inspections, and some states perform annual
inspections.
IBWA
Standards:
Third-party Inspections:
In addition to the state and federal standards
for bottled water, IBWA bottler members are subject to another level of
oversight. As a condition of membership, bottlers must submit to an annual,
unannounced plant inspection administered by an independent, internationally
recognized third-party inspection organization. This inspection audits quality
and testing records, reviews all areas of plant operation from source through
finished product, and checks compliance with FDA Quality Standards and Good
Manufacturing Practices and any state regulations.
IBWA Model
Code:
IBWA has established a quality assurance program: a
strict set of standards called the Model Code. The Model Code establishes
tougher requirements than federal and state authorities.
Do imported waters have to
meet the same federal, state, and industry regulations as bottled water?
Yes. Any imported bottled water sold in the United
States must meet all of the same regulations as domestically produced bottled
water.
Is bottled water regulated
differently from tap water?
Yes. Bottled water is regulated by FDA as a food
product and must meet all applicable food packaging regulations. Tap water is
regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is regarded as a
utility.
Does bottled water contain
any chlorine or harmful chemicals?
No.
How long can I store bottled
water?
The Food and Drug Administration has not
established a shelf life for bottled water. Bottled water can be used
indefinitely if stored properly.
What is the proper way to
store bottled water?
Bottled water should be stored in a cool (i.e.,
room temperature), dry environment, away from chemicals such as household
cleaning products, and away from solvents such as gasoline, paint thinners, and
other toxic materials.
How can I find out if the
bottled water that I drink is a member of IBWA?
The easiest way to find out if your favorite
bottled water brand is a member of IBWA is to Call 1-800-WATER-11 (1-800-928-3711)
You can then
receive a list of all IBWA-member brands. You can also contact this number if
you have any other questions or if you would like to receive more information
about bottled water.
What is IBWA?
The International Bottled Water Association
(IBWA)
is the trade association representing the bottled water industry.Founded in
1958, IBWA's member companies produce and distribute 85 percent of the bottled
water sold in the United States. Our membership includes U.S. and international
bottlers, distributors and suppliers.
How Should I clean my Water
Cooler?
For the highest quality and best tasting
water, follow this simple process every 1 to 3 months when you change your
bottle:
Unplug your cooler. Remove empty bottle and drain any remaining water.
Dilute 1 teaspoon of non-perfumed bleach in 1 gallon of water. Dampen a clean
cloth (not paper towel) in the mixture and wipe down the inside of the cooler
reservoir. Wipe the spigots. Rinse the reservoir with at least 1 gallon of
clean water. Drain this water through the cold-water spigot. Discard the
bleach solution.
Place a new bottle of water on your cooler. Plug your cooler into the outlet.
Also remember, the drip tray should be emptied periodically because it isnt
a drain, but a tray to catch the occasional spill.
For more information, write
to this address:
International Bottled Water Association,
113 North Henry Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314-2973
Or call this telephone
number:
1-800-WATER-11 (1-800-928-3711)
