1. Bottled Water Regulations
Frieda Y. Taylor, PhD Public Health
Walden University
PUBH
Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Heick
Spring, 2010
Good Morning!
My name is Frieda Taylor
I attend Walden University pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health.
My emphasis is Public Health and Community Education.
This is my third quarter.
This morning’s presentation is entitled Bottle Water Regulations. The presentation fulfills a service-based learning activity for my Environmental Health class taught by Dr. Rebecca Heick.

2. Overview Miscellaneous Facts Bottled Water Defined
Bottled Water Regulations
Recycling Water Bottles
We have heard from physicians, parents, the media, etc that it is essential that we drink 8-10, 8 oz glasses of water daily.
How many of you drink 8-10, 8 oz glasses of water daily?
How many of you drink tap water?
How many prefer bottled water?
This goal of today’s presentation is to:
demonstrate that bottled water is safe to drink;
empower you with the knowledge you need to ensure the bottled water you prefer is safe.
You may be asking yourself, how? I will:
Discuss a few miscellaneous facts;
Define various types of bottled water;
Tell you who regulates bottled water;
State the various regulations specific to bottled water and elaborate on a few; and
Touch on recycling.

3. Miscellaneous Facts United States # 2 Popular Beverage (2002)
Consumption (2005)
> 7.5 million gallons
Approximately 26 gallons per person
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007, October). FDA regulates the safety of bottled water beverages including flavored water and nutrient-added water beverages, food facts. Retrieved from
Does anyone know what the #1 beverage of choice is?
Per FDA October 2007 Food Facts, the #1 beverage is soft drinks.
The #2 beverage is bottled water.
In 2005, more than 7.5 million gallons of bottled water was consumed annually and that equates to approximately 26 gallons per person.
I think we can all agree, bottled water consumption is high.

4. Bottled Water Defined Labeling Definitions Bottled Water Mineral water
Drinking water Sparkling water
Artesian Water Purified water
Environmental Protection Agency. (2005, September). Water health basics, bottled water basics. Retrieved from
Posnick, L.M., & Kim, H. (2002, August/September). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Food Safety Magazine, Retrieved from
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007, October). FDA regulates the safety of bottled water beverages including flavored water and nutrient-added water beverages, food facts. Retrieved from
The FDA has labeling definitions for bottled water:
Bottled water – created for human consumption; sealed in bottles or other container; no added ingredients but there is a caveat, it may contain safe, suitable antimicrobial agents, fluoride
Drinking water – intended for human consumption; fluoride may be added.
Artesian water – treated or untreated water from an underground aquifer.
Mineral water – naturally contains ≥ 250 parts per million (ppm) dissolved solids from a protected (physically & geologically) underground source.
Sparkling water – treated and may possibly have carbon dioxide replaced (but will have the same amount as prior to treatment).
Purified – free from all chemicals and contains < 10 ppm total dissolved solids; and labeled according to how it is treated.
Distilled water is a category of purified water and it is condensed steam from boiling water; condensed to remove salts, minerals, metals, some
organic materials)

5. Bottled Water is Regulated
Bottled waters is regulated.
The following slides will discuss who has regulatory authority over bottled water and what is regulated.

6. Who Regulates Bottled Water?
United States Food and Drug Administration
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
Food Safety Program
Posnick, L.M., & Kim, H. (2002, August/September). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Food Safety Magazine, Retrieved from
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007, October). FDA regulates the safety of bottled water beverages including flavored water and nutrient-added water beverages, food facts. Retrieved from
1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are responsible for drinking water safety
EPA regulates tap water; and
FDA regulates bottled water
The FDA is given broad regulatory authority by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and the regulations have been established in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR).
3. FDA regulates bottled water as a food within its food safety program.

7. Bottled Water Regulations
Standard of Identity
Standard of Quality
Processing and Bottling
Labeling
Posnick, L.M., & Kim, H. (2002, August/September). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Food Safety Magazine, Retrieved from
On the following slides, I will briefly describe the various regulations for:
Standards of Identity
Standards of Quality
Processing and Bottling
Labeling

8. Bottled Water Regulations
Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR)
21 CFR § (a), Standard of Identity
21 CFR § (b), Standard of Quality
21 CFR part 129, Processing and Bottling
Posnick, L.M., & Kim, H. (2002, August/September). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Food Safety Magazine, Retrieved from
CFR § (a), Standard of Identity
Defines various types of bottled water (discussed earlier in slide 4)
Bottled water is described as:
Created for human consumption
Sealed in bottles or other container
- No added ingredients; caveat – may contain safe, suitable antimicrobial agents, fluoride
Food name
Bottled water or drinking water
Water labeling must meet standards otherwise considered mislabeled:
Examples - Mineral water
- Contains ≥ 250 parts per million (ppm) dissolved solids from a protected (physically & geologically) underground source
Constant levels and proportions of source minerals and trace elements, but no added minerals
CFR § (b), Standard of Quality
Allowable levels of contaminants
Physical standards e.g. turbidity, color, odor, radiological standards, chemical contaminants (> 70).
CFR part 129, Processing and Bottling
21 CFR part 129 requires that bottled water be safe and thus, processed, bottled and transported under sanitary conditions.
The water source must be maintained free of contamination.
The bottling facility must be sanitary (e.g. bacteriological and chemical safety of the water).
Records of approval and testing must be maintained by bottlers.

9. Bottled Water Regulations 21 CFR part 101, Labeling
1. The general provisions for food labeling is found in 21 CFR part 101, Subpart A, sections –
2. Read the labels on bottled water which contain: nutrition facts, ingredients, purification information and bottling information.
Let’s perform a practical exercise. As you can see, I have bottled water with me and I notice many of you in the audience have bottled water. I am not
promoting a particular manufacturer but I will use my bottle of water to illustrate.
Exercise – I will hold up the bottle and read the information directly from the label:
Kirkland signature premium drinking water with minerals added for taste.
16.9 ounces
Nutrition facts
Serving size – 8 ounces
Servings per container – about 2
Calories – 0
Total fat – 0 grams (0% daily value [dv])
Trans fat – 0 grams
Cholesterol – 0 mg (0% daily value [dv])
Sodium – 0 mg (0% daily value [dv])
Total carb. (carbohydrates) – 0 g (0% daily value [dv])
Dietary fiber – 0 g (0% daily value [dv])
Sugars – 0 g
Protein – 0 g (0% daily value [dv])
Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet
Ingredients: purified water, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium citrate, sodium chloride and magnesium oxide.
Distributed by: Costco wholesale corp (address in included)
Bottled by: Niagra Bottling LLC (city state and web address included)
“ Please recycle” - typed on label
4. How many of you have ever actually read the entire label on you water bottle? As you can see, there is a great deal of information, just like all food items.

10. Recycling Water Bottles
Recycling Facts
Accessibility to recycling programs
Plastic bottles recycled in 2008
2.4 billion pounds
Benefit of recycling
7.4 yards of landfill space saved per ton of recycled plastic
Earth911.com. (n.d.). Plastic recycling facts. Retrieved from
Let’s discuss a few recycling facts:
Approximately 80% of Americans have access to recycling programs.
Approximately 2.4 billion pounds of plastic bottles were recycled in 2008.
One benefit of recycling is to landfills. Approximately 7.4 yards of landfill space is saved per ton of recycled plastic.

11. Summary Bottled water is safe to drink Bottled water is regulated
Read the labels
Recycle Water Bottles
After today’s presentation, you should feel more confident in knowing that bottled water is safe to drink because it is regulated by the FDA within its food
safety program.
Actively read the label of your bottled water of choice and get the nutrition facts, ingredients, and other added information.
Finally, recycle your water bottles and conserve our landfills.

12. Questions
Contact Information
Frieda Y. Taylor
Does anyone have any questions.
If anything comes to mind later, feel free to me at The is on the slide (point to the slide).
Please note: Slide 13 contains the references for today’s presentation and slide 14 contains a few additional resources to further explore the topic.
Thank you and enjoy the remaining presentations.

13. References
Environmental Protection Agency. (2005, September). Water health basics, bottled water basics. Retrieved from
Posnick, L.M., & Kim, H. (2002, August/September). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Food Safety Magazine, Retrieved from
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007, October). FDA regulates the safety of bottled water beverages including flavored water and nutrient-added water beverages, food facts. Retrieved from

14. Additional Resources
Earth911.com. (n.d.). Plastic recycling facts. Retrieved from
Environmental Protection Agency. (2009, December). Water on tap, what you need to know. Retrieved from
Environmental Protection Agency. (2009, July 31). Groundwater and drinking water, frequently asked questions. Retrieved from
Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Over 300 pollutants in U.S. tap water. Retrieved from