International Bottled Water Association | MEDIA RELEASE | November 20,2013
IBWA Video Highlights Importance of Having Bottled Water as a Choice
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) today released a second in a series of YouTube videos titled “Meet Norman”; this new video highlights the importance of having access to healthy, safe and convenient bottled water.
The bottled water industry has always been proud to provide a product that helps consumers lead a healthier lifestyle, and through the depiction of “Norman,” this video demonstrates the importance of having bottled water in vending machines and on store shelves alongside other packaged beverage options.
Studies have shown that when people don’t have access to bottled water, they don’t necessarily drink tap water. Very often people turn to other less-healthy packaged beverages that also have a higher environmental and water footprints than bottled water.
“The idea behind the video is to help remind people that having access to bottled water is important,” says Chris Hogan, IBWA vice-president of communications. In an earlier “Meet Norman” video, Norman did not have access to bottled water and he instead consumed sugary drinks, which caused him to gain weight.
“Safe, refreshing water is one of the best and healthiest choices that nearly everyone can make every day, whether at home, at work, or ‘on the go.’ It is an easy way to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet,” says Hogan.
According to the Institute of Medicine and the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, one-third of American adults are overweight and another one-third is obese. And, over the last 30 years, children’s obesity rates have climbed from five percent to 17 percent. Drinking water is regularly cited as a key component of a more healthful lifestyle and promoting greater consumption of water from all sources is vital.
As Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and PHA Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama said in her “Drink Up” campaign launch, “we all have a choice about what we drink and when we choose water, we’re choosing to be at our very best.” IBWA and its members are actively promoting the Drink Up! initiative’s efforts to encourage more Americans to drink more water more often. Safe, refreshing, and convenient bottled water plays an important role in providing people with a healthy hydration beverage.
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NOTE: Photos/head shots available upon request
Media Contact:
Jill Culora
jculora@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.
In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.
IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.
