Bottled Water and the FDA Standards of Quality
Water Quality Products
June 2003
Kristin Safran and Barbara L. Marteney, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd.
Bottled water is classified as a food product and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has regulations that dictate the contaminants for which bottled water must be tested along with the allowable limits for each (Standards of Quality--SOQs). This article will focus on the last item, the SOQs. The true driving force behind the addition of parameters to the FDA SOQs is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
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Bottled Water Partnerships Are Abundant
Water Quality Products
December 2002
Opportunities are everywhere for bottled water companies keeping an eye open.
Although many large beverage companies are getting the "big" deals, smaller and mid-size companies should take note. Smaller companies can learn lessons from these beverage giants and find opportunity where others may not see it.
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Routing Issues: From Paperwork to PDA Efficiency
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Lorraine Keating, Prism Visual Software, Inc.
By now, handhelds have enjoyed enormous popularity in any industry that deals with deliveries, services or exchanges. The bottled water and water treatment industries are not an exception. PDAs enhance performance, accuracy and cost-efficiency.
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Bottled Water vs. Tap
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Nadia Abboud, Severn Trent Services
While both sides of the bottled/tap battle continue trying to inform and ultimately win the consumer over, a few facts cannot be overlooked. Regardless of how a consumer obtains drinking water, both bottled and tap must draw from the same available global freshwater sources. Despite the information with which consumers are presented, ultimately the decision is theirs. When purchasing bottled water, knowing what you are getting requires some research and understanding.
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Bottled Water Testing
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Kristin Safran and Barbara L. Marteney, National Testing Laboratories
Consumers want to know if the bottled water they buy is safe. How and why bottled water is regulated is not common knowledge and can be confusing to customers. Bottlers who understand and can explain aspects of water quality, regulations and test results to their customers have a useful sales tool to promote their product.
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Enhanced Bottled Waters
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
WQP spoke with Barry Willson, senior vice president of operations at BEVsystems International, Inc., based in Miami, about the current enhanced water trends that seem to be driving the industry and giving marketers a lot to work with.
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Expanding Knowledge, Continued Growth
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
The bottled water industry has seen steady growth for years. Consumers are demanding beverage choices to suit their healthy lifestyles, and the bottlers have stepped in to meet those needs. One of the driving forces behind this continued boom is the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).
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The O-Zone: Today's Lesson: Ozone and Bottled Water
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Roger Nathanson
The following is the first of 11 articles addressing ozone's
applications, installation, sales, service, basics and more. The 12th and final
installment will be a quiz to test your ozone knowledge—so make sure you
come back each month to brush up. Details and instructions will be given in the
final month.
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Full of Promise
Water Quality Products
October 2002
Contributed by Zenith International
East Europeans drank almost 10 percent more soft drinks in 2001, pushing consumption past the 20,000 million liter mark for the first time, according to the 2002 East Europe Soft Drinks report from Zenith International. Volumes have jumped 36 percent since 1997, despite the economic troubles of the late 1990s.
Know Your Bottled Water Regulations
Water Quality Products
August 2002
Joseph K. Doss, International Bottled Water Association
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) tracks and takes action on a number of relevant issues. The goal is to ensure fair and equitable treatment of bottled water companies and to help the industry continue to deliver safe, high-quality bottled water products to a thirsty consumer market. In 2001, IBWA was engaged on both the federal and state legislative fronts, working hard to represent the bottled water industry and seeking the adoption of sensible, effective laws and regulations.
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Bottled Water Quality
Water Quality Products
May 2002
Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories
Due to growing concerns about environmental contamination from industry and the use of everyday products as well as fears of intentional tampering of water supplies, people are becoming more conscious of water quality. Letting your customers know that bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food product and that it is safe is an important part of your business.
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Chlorine Taste in the Customer’s Drinking Water?
Water Quality Products
March 2002
By Ron Grage, Chlorinators Incorporated
Chlorine produces bacteria-free water and eliminates algae and slime. It also removes hydrogen sulfide from ground water (wells and springs) and eliminates iron bacteria (cenothrix), which are associated with objectionable odor and taste.
Despite these important facts, some people still object to chlorine in their drinking water. Comments such as “I don’t like the way chlorine makes my water taste” are common.
Troubleshooting Bottled Water Complaints
Water Quality Products
October 2001
Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories, Ltd
Customer complaints are an unfortunate but unavoidable part of business. Bottled water complaints typically arise when a customer perceives an off taste, odor or appearance in the water.
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Ozone for Bottled Water
Water Quality Products
October 2001
Andrew Zaske and Aaron Edland, Osmonics, Inc.
The proliferation of bottled beverages worldwide and an increased awareness of consumer health issues have beverage suppliers rethinking how to keep their liquids safe for consumption.
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Bottled Water International Markets
Water Quality Products
October 2001
Contributed by Zenith International
Water coolers are making big waves in East Europe, according to the second Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in East Europe by Zenith International, a European drink consultant.
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Testing Bottled Water
Water Quality Products
September 2001
Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories
One of the most important (and sometimes the most complex) area of the bottled water business is compliance with federal, state and industry regulations. As the EPA continues to evaluate contaminants in drinking water for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the FDA must review these regulations for their suitability for bottled water.
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Water Bottles
Water Quality Products
June 2001
Douglas Hamilton, GE Plastics
The water cooler--the social epicenter of every office and in some countries the main water source in homes--now is showing up in other environments from restaurants to coffee shops, schools and hospitals.
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Bottled Water Makes Headlines
Water Quality Products
January 2001
Wendi Hope King
Recent news regarding the public?s fluoride intake and chromium 6 contamination has made for some alarming headlines. Though several past reports have concentrated on tap water, it is bottled water that is now becoming the current media target.
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The Drink of Choice
Water Quality Products
October 2000
Wendi Hope King
With the industry seizing great opportunities, is there any doubt that bottled water wont continue to be a huge business in upcoming years?
Getting Started in the Bottled Water Business: Source Water Development
Water Quality Products
September 2000
Barbara L. Marteney & Kristin Saltzgiver
This is the second in a series of three bottled water articles. The first article appeared in July; the last will run in October. Your natural spring, well or artesian well source already may be providing you with the "best water you’ve ever tasted" with little effort on your part. However, selling that same water for public consumption puts you under government scrutiny.
FDA Bottled Water Regulations UpdateNine Stayed Parameters and Quarterly Testing Requirements
Water Quality Products
November 1999
Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin M. Saltzgiver
On August 6, 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that effective February 2, 1999, bottled water must meet the requirements of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for the nine stayed parameters, which include: antimony, beryllium, cyanide, nickel, thallium, diquat, endothall, glyphosate, and 2,3,7,8-tcdd (dioxin). This announcement requires bottlers to monitor for these nine parameters and comply with the same maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Consumer Facts on Bottled Water Testing
Water Quality Products
November 1997
Michael P. Miller
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that every bottled water product receives a full analysis every year.
Sanitary Considerations in Bottled Water Plant Construction
Water Quality Products
September 1997
Michael P. Miller
Many concerns have been xpressed about the potential costs of corrective actions necessary to fulfill the requirements of the bottled water plant inspection program. Here is a basic outline of what inspectors look for and how to avoid problems.
Bottled Water Audits: The International Standard for IBWA
Water Quality Products
October 1996
Michael Miller
Because of the rapid growth of the bottled water industry and IBWA membership, there was concern that a new bottler with little experience might make mistakes, which would hurt all bottled water producers. The image of bottled water as a high quality alternative to tap water is increasingly recognized by consumers, and therefore hasto be protected.
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