What kinds of bottled water are available today?
Most people don’t realize that bottled water that is classified as “bottled water” or “drinking water” is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This agency makes sure that all bottled or drinking water sold maintains certain standards. By definition, bottled water can not contain chemical additives (other than extracts or flavors) or sweeteners, and must be sugar and calorie free. Flavors or extracts can be added to water but they must be less than 1% by weight. Anything over this limit is classified as a soft drink. Various water types classified by the FDA are: Mineral: Water that has no less than 250 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved solids. No minerals can be added to the product. Artesian: Water extracted from an aquifer. Purified: Water processed by either deionization, distillation or reverse osmosis. Spring: Bottled water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface. Sparkling: Water that after treatment, and possible replace
