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Consult your Doctor, FDA and
your local Water Company.
Different
Varieties
Bottled
water may seem like a relatively
new idea--one born during
the heightened awareness
of fitness and potential
water pollution during the
last two or three decades.
However, water has been
bottled and sold far from
its source for thousands
of years. In Europe, water
from mineral springs was
often thought to have curative
and sometimes religious
powers. Pioneers trekking
west across the United States
during the 19th century
also typically considered
drinkable (potable) water
a staple to be purchased
in anticipation of the long
trip across the arid West.
Today,
of course, there are dozens
of brands of bottled water
and many different kinds,
including flavored or fizzy,
to choose from.
Federal
Regulations
The
Food and Drug Administration
regulates bottled water
products that are in interstate
commerce under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FD&C Act).
Under
the FD&C Act, manufacturers
are responsible for producing
safe, wholesome and truthfully
labeled food products, including
bottled water products.
It is a violation of the
law to introduce into interstate
commerce adulterated or
misbranded products that
violate the various provisions
of the FD&C Act.
The
FDA also has established
regulations specifically
for bottled water, including
standard of identity regulations,
which define different types
of bottled water, and standard
of quality regulations,
which set maximum levels
of contaminants (chemical,
physical, microbial and
radiological) allowed in
bottled water.
From
a regulatory standpoint,
the FDA describes bottled
water as water that is intended
for human consumption and
that is sealed in bottles
or other containers with
no added ingredients, except
that it may contain a safe
and suitable antimicrobial
agent. Fluoride may also
be added within the limits
set by the FDA.
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