July 27, 2007

According to published news reports, Pepsi-Cola Company will begin to include on its label a statement reflecting the use of public water systems as the source for its bottled water products. The company will include the following statement: "Public Water Source" on the labels of its Aquafina brand bottled water. IBWA’s position on this issue is a follows:

  • Nothing prohibits a company from including source information on the label and many bottled water companies voluntarily include source information;
  • The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, recognizes public drinking water systems as one of several approved sources for bottled water;
  • IBWA supports FDA’s previous determination that source labeling for bottled water is not necessary or required if a brand is in compliance with the FDA bottled water Standard of Identity, Standard of Quality, and other regulations;
  • If a bottled water is sourced from a municipal water system and has not been further treated, FDA requires the label to state that it is from a municipal or community water system;
  • Source, as well as other brand information, may be obtained by contacting a bottled water company directly. According to FDA law, all food products, including bottled water, must include the name and location of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Moreover, many bottled water companies include a telephone number on their label.