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Table of Contents
What is bottled water? Water is called "bottled water" if it meets all federal and state standards, is sealed in a sanitary container and sold for human consumption. Some bottled water includes carbonation, which can occur naturally in the water or be added by the bottler. Flavors, 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 soft drinks, not bottled water. Bottled water cannot contain sweeteners or additives (other than flavors, extracts or essences) and must be calorie-free and sugar-free. In addition, most bottled waters are sodium-free or include "very low" amounts of sodium. What are the different types of bottled water? There are several varieties of bottled water, including: artesian water, mineral water, sparkling water, spring water, well water and purified water. A specific definition for each term has been proposed as part of new, additional regulations being considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). IBWA strongly supports FDA’s action and has proactively petitioned the agency to adopt these definitions in order to ensure consumer access to consistent, high-quality bottled water. FDA’s definitions are still pending. Following are IBWA’s definitions, which are nearly identical to those proposed by FDA: Artesian Water: Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer ( a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand) which stands above the normal water table. Mineral Water: Bottled water originating from geologically and physically protected underground water source. Mineral water must contain mineral and/or trace elements that make it clearly distinguishable from other types of water. This content must remain constant in the water’s original state at the point of emergence from the source. Sparkling Water: Bottled water containing carbon dioxide, which occurs naturally or is added following emergence from the source. (An important note: soda water, seltzer water and tonic water are not considered bottled waters. They are regulated separately, may contain sugar and calories, and are considered soft drinks.) Spring Water: Bottled water that flows naturally from an underground source to the surface of the earth. Spring water must be collected directly from the spring or from a bore hole that is adjacent to the water’s natural point of emergence.Spring water collected by pump, or any other device applying external force, must retain all the properties of, and be of the same composition and quality as, the water flowing naturally to the surface. Well Water: Bottled water collected from an aquifer through a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground. Purified Water: Bottled water produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or another suitable process that meets the definition of purified water in the United States Pharmacopoeia. Water that meets this definition, and is vaporized then condensed, may be labeled "distilled water." Where does bottled water come from? Are some bottled waters simply tap water in a bottle? Many bottled waters come from natural sources like springs or wells that originate from deep within the earth. These protected sources are inspected, tested and certified by the state or country of origin to be of sanitary quality. These bottled waters do not come from surface water sources where certain types of organisms may be found. Bottled water may also come from treated municipal supplies. All IBWA member companies that use municipal sources employ multi-barrier processing methods such as reverse osmosis, micron filtration, distillation, and /or ozonation. This ensures the water is of high quality and free of chemical and microbiological contaminants including cryptosporidium. The quality of bottled water is assured through the multi-barrier process and reaches the consumer sealed in containers, whereas tap water travels though miles of public water pipes before reaching the end user. Unwanted elements, such as lead, may not be present at the municipal source or show up during inspection at the water treatment plan, but they could be present when the water comes out of one’s tap. Does bottled water contain chlorine? No. Bottlers do not use chlorine as a final disinfecting agent in bottled water. Bottlers use ozone (O3), a form of oxygen, or ultraviolet light. Unlike chlorine, which is commonly used in public water supplies, these methods disinfect water without leaving any after taste or smell. How much water coming into the average home is actually used for drinking or cooking? It is estimated that the average family uses only one percent of the water coming into its home for drinking or cooking. The remaining 99 percent is used for bathing, cleaning, in toilets, watering lawns and as part of other household activities. It is the one percent for consumption, however, that is critical to public health and that bottled water companies can ensure is as safe as possible and free of contaminants. Why should people pay to drink bottled water when they can drink tap water for free? The number one reason consumers choose bottled water is taste. Unlike tap water which uses chlorine as a final disinfectant, bottled water is most commonly disinfected with ozone, which does not leave a residual taste. Second, consumers are concerned about the quality of their tap water. In addition to concerns about chlorine by-products, contaminants such as lead, nitrates and micro-organisms have been discovered in municipal water supplies. Consumers are turning to bottled water because they can be assured of bottled water’s high quality. The third reason consumers choose bottled water is for what it does not contain -- calories, caffeine or alcohol. Consumers are leading a more healthful lifestyle and turning more frequently to bottled water. How is bottled water regulated? FEDERAL REGULATIONS: 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 assisted in the development of regulations at all levels of local, state and federal government. Federal Regulations: Bottled water is regulated as a food by the FDA. Bottled water companies must adhere to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Standards. Good Manufacturing Practices: GMPs are requirements that affect all aspects of plant operations, including factory construction and design; sanitation operations, equipment and procedures; manufacturing equipment, operations and procedures; and administrative/personnel procedures such as record-keeping and employee training. Bottled water must adhere to the general food GMPs as well as those specific to bottled water. 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: In 1993, the FDA published proposed labeling rules for bottled water that would 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 waters are considered soft drinks; therefore, they are excluded from these regulations. The regulations, which came at the request of the IBWA and closely match those proposed by the association, are expected to become final in 1996. The proposed standards will help to alleviate consumer confusion by providing for uniform labeling and quality standards for all types of bottled water products. European Economic Community: All European exporters must meet the federal and state standards as applicable. They must also meet strict standards set by the European Economic Community. International bottler members that sell products in the U.S. must submit a certificate of inspection to the IBWA.
STATE REGULATIONS
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. Can you tell me more about the International Bottled Water Association (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. Its membership includes U.S.-based and international bottlers and distributors. Additional members include manufacturers of bottled-water equipment and supplies (e.g., coolers, etc.). The association provides members with educational, government relations and technical training; membership services; public relations and information and publications about the industry. For more information, call or write:
International Bottled Water Association
Tel: (703) 683-5213
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