Bottled Water Standards

Are They Inadequate?

Bottled Water is regulated as a food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) by the FDA. Specific FDA regulations in the bottled water area cover Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP's). Water production and a Standard Of Identity And Quality for bottled water are also new.

Recent regulatory activity on Bottled Water has included adoption of allowable levels of certain disinfectants and disinfection byproducts. These new regulations include requirements for publication of a feasibility study on the methods for providing consumers with information on the contents of bottled water.

National Research Defense Council (NRDC)

A recent National Research Defense Council (NRDC) finding is that bottled water regulations are inadequate to assure consumers of either purity or safety. This in spite of the fact that both the federal government and the states have bottled water safety programs. Don't trust that the FDA is doing their job and ensuring safe bottled water. You should be aware and protect yourself.

FDA Bottled Water Standards Administration

At the national level, the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for bottled water safety. The FDA's rules completely exempt waters that are packaged and sold within the same state. This exemption accounts for between 60 and 70 percent of all bottled water sold in the United States.

In addition, one in five states do not Regulate Bottled Water. The FDA also exempts carbonated water and seltzer. Fewer than half of the states require Carbonated Waters to meet their own bottled water standards.

Bottled Water Standards More Lax Than Tap

When bottled waters are covered by FDA's rules, they are subject to less rigorous testing and purity standards than those which apply to city tap water. For example:

1. Bottled Water is required to be tested less frequently for bacteria and chemical contaminants than city tap water.

2. Bottled Water rules allow for some contamination by Ecoli or fecal coliform.

3. There are no requirements for bottled water to be disinfected or tested for parasites such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia.

These loose regulations are irresponsible. They increase the likelihood that bottled water may present a health threat to people with weakened immune systems. The frail elderly, some infants, transplant or cancer patients, or people with HIV/AIDS are at risk.

Bottled Water, like all other foods regulated by FDA, must be processed, packaged, shipped, and stored in a safe and sanitary manner and be truthfully and accurately labeled.

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