Did You Know Bottled Water is the Number One Packaged Beverage in the United States by Volume?
You might have been able to guess that if you took a good look around at any office setting, workout facility or any public gathering. Yes, thankfully for us it’s pretty popular. Maybe you’re a bottled water drinker. Or maybe you’re here looking for reasons to start drinking Premium Waters products. Regardless, we know you’ve got questions, and this blog will give you some of the answers.
Types of Bottled Water
Spring, mineral, purified, artesian, what’s the difference? Turns out types of water are differentiated by where it comes from and how it is treated.
Spring Water
Sourced naturally from the ground and very popular in the United States.
Mineral Water
Little to no treatment and can be left with a high mineral content. The United States regulates mineral water to have a smaller mineral content, while countries in Europe have no regulations and leave the water with more minerals.
Purified Water
Otherwise known as “still” water. Purified water undergoes a variety of treatment processes until almost nothing is left in the water.
Purified Water with Added Minerals
Its name says it all. Minerals are added back in to Purified Water to enhance the taste.
Why do all these waters taste differently?
Minerals! Water gets its entire flavor from the minerals floating around in your bottle or glass. The higher the mineral content the more flavorful the water. This is the reason that some people don’t like purified water – they claim it has no taste. Others do not like mineral water as it can have a “metal” taste to it.
Who regulates all of these processes?
You guessed it– the Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water extensively. We know…water is neither a food nor a drug, but it still falls under the FDA’s jurisdiction. All processes are regulated from treatment to manufacturing. Each of the 50 states has a delegation agreement with the FDA and is responsible for inspecting bottled water plants.
Bottled vs. tap…what’s the difference?
While there is often a lot of parity between the two as far as meeting government standards—often times, depending on the city or town you’re in, tap water can taste a little off. The Hammer Provision of the FFDCA provides that the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with the Administrator of the EPA in regard to any EPA-proposed changes to the national primary drinking water regulations for public water supplies. If this standard is applicable to bottled water, the FDA normally adopts it.
Can bottled water go bad?
No! Despite some odd rumors, bottled water cannot go bad when stored in ideal conditions. In other words, don’t put your bottles of water around oil, gasoline, or harsh fumes. These can permeate the plastic and be harmful.
If things like gas can get through the bottle, why have the plastic so thin?
We’re glad you asked. Using plastic is convenient and safe. It’s inexpensive to produce and containers are fully recyclable. We don’t use thicker plastic because we don’t have to. Unlike sodas and other carbonated beverages, water is a still beverage. Thicker plastics and aluminum are used to keep the carbon dioxide in the drink to not let it go flat. Your water is flat from the start! So really, it’s unnecessary to use thicker plastic. Don’t store you water next to an open can of gasoline in your garage and you’ll be just fine.
Okay, it’s thin…but I’ve heard chemicals from the plastic still get into my water. Is this true?
Again, it is highly unlikely if you store your water correctly.
Hopefully we didn’t make bottled water more complicated for you. When it comes down to it, water is simple! Drink the kind that tastes good to you – it is all regulated! Rest assured knowing that as long as your water is stored correctly, it will never go bad and is not harmful.
Lastly, if you ever have questions of concerns, call the number on the label of your favorite water! You can always also contact us at 800-332-3332 or check out our blog for more information!