International Bottled Water Association | NEWS RELEASE | June 23, 2011
New Video Dispels Myth about Bottled Water
“From Tap to Bottled Water” traces the many steps taken to produce a safe, healthy, convenient food product
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)’s consumer website www.bottledwatermatters.com has released a new YouTube video, “From Tap to Bottled Water,” that dispels a myth repeated by some anti-bottled water activists that bottled water which comes from municipal water sources is just tap water in a bottle. An entertaining and amusing teenager conducts a tour of a bottled water plant that shows viewers the many complex steps necessary to turn municipal tap water into a finished, purified bottled water product. She encourages the viewers to decide for themselves if it’s just tap water in a bottle. To view “From Tap to Bottled Water” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMMqvkmC7mk&feature=feedlik
“This video takes viewers through the many additional steps undertaken to treat municipal water so that it can packaged and labeled as purified bottled water,” says Tom Lauria, IBWA’s Vice-President of Communications.
“Some anti-bottled activists, politicians, educators and even comedians make various incorrect statements about municipally sourced bottled water, making it sound as if these bottles are filled from a garden hose,” Lauria noted. “This is absolutely not the case. Tap water that is used to make purified bottled water undergoes several treatments, such as being pre-filtered, treated with reverse osmosis, ultra violet light, one-micron filters and ozonation before the water is placed in sanitary, recyclable containers, and factory-sealed for consumer protection and safety.”
The entire bottling process is closely monitored for optimal safety and quality levels, and a final step involves testing the purified bottled water for any residual contaminants after the product is packaged.
“This video clearly rebuts claims by anti-bottled water critics and it plainly shows that municipally sourced bottled water is very different from tap water in a bottle,” says Lauria.
“And I think consumers will be reassured that the product they are drinking has undergone the additional steps, and that they are getting true value for their money spent.”
– # # # –
Contact:
Tom Lauria
703-647-4609 or 703-887-4056 (cell)
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.