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What the FDA says

Regulating Bottled Water

In the U.S., bottled water is regulated by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration).

The agency regulates bottled water as a food.
Under the standard of identity (165.110[a]), the FDA describes bottled water as water that is intended for human consumption and that is sealed in bottles or other containers with no added ingredients.
The FDA also has defined various other types of bottled water, such as "artesian water," "artesian well water," "ground water," "mineral water," "purified water," "sparkling bottled water," and "spring water".

Bottled water labeled with any of these terms must meet the appropriate definitions under the standard of identity.

For example, a bottle labeled as containing "mineral water" must meet Bottled Water Regulation and the FDA imposes the following criteria, among others: the water must contain no less than 250 parts per million (ppm) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), it must come from a geologically and physically protected underground water source, and it must contain no added minerals.

"Mineral water" also must have a constant level and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source, with due account being taken of natural fluctuation cycles.

The FDA does not require an expiration date for bottled water. However, long-term storage of bottled water may result in aesthetic defects, such as off-odor and taste. Bottlers may voluntarily put expiration dates on their labels.

According to the FDA’s definition, SwissMountain is considered a ‘mineral water’, an ‘artesian water’, and a ‘spring water’ – see FDA table below.

Various types of bottled water

 

TYPE	DEFINITION
(For complete regulatory definitions, see FDA 21 CFR 165.110(a)(2).)
Artesian Water	Water from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer. (Applies to SwissMountain)
Mineral Water	Water containing no less than 250 ppm total dissolved solids that originate from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. Mineral water is characterized by constant levels and relative proportions of minerals and trace elements at the source. No minerals may be added to mineral water. (Applies to SwissMountain)
Sparkling Bottled Water	Water which, after treatment and possible replacement of carbon dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at emergence from the source.
Spring Water	Water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth at an identified location.Spring water may be collected at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring, but there are additional requirements for use of a bore hole. (Applies to SwissMountain)