Bottled water is regulated on three levels: Federal, state, and Trade association (industry). Following these standards assure consumers that the bottled water they buy is stringently tested and of high quality.
Federal Standards:
Bottled
water is fully regulated as a food product by the U. S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). Title 21 of the U. S. Code of Federal
Regulations, the Federal Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) regulates it
as a food product: "artilces used for food and drink for man or other animals...".
Bottled water is one of the most extensively regulated food products under
FDA jurisdiction.
FDA regulations Include:
Quality Standards:
must be met as deemed in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
This ensures safety from production to packaging to consumption. This establishes
allowable levels for substances and microbiological organisms related to
chemical, physical, and radiological qualities. These include over 83 substances
with limits (allowable levels). Both source water and product water are
in compliance with GMPs.
Labeling Standards: must also comply with Title 21, under the FFDCA. Bottled water products bearing a certain statement of identity must represent the appropriate water type as defined by the FDA. The label must include name and place of the manufacturer, the net weight of contents, and ingredients, if more than one ingredient is contained on the product
GMPs: are of two types - General
and specific. General GMPs govern areas such as plant and ground maintenance,
and sanitation of buildings, fixtures, and facilities, which include water
supply, plumbing and sewage disposal
Bottled Water Specific GMPs concern plant design, and
construction and production and process controls specific to the production
and processing of bottled drinking water, as well as the sanitation of
facilities and operations.
State Standards: After the federal
regulations have been applied the state conducts inspections and laboratory
regulations. Inspections involve analysis of samples and approving sources
of water (under federal GMPs only approved water sources can be used to
supply a bottling plant). Laboratory certification is done on testing
facilities; Unannounced and/or annual plant inspections take place.
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) Standards:
This trade organization is the main proponent for additional
regulations on bottled water. The brands that choose to follow these
standards are the most stringently regulated in the industry. The
IBWA requires annual unannounced plant inspection by a nationally recognized
third-party organization. In addition, a telephone number must be
given on the label. Many of the most popular brands are members of
the IBWA.