Does the FDA regulate bottled drinking water?

Question

I feel safer drinking bottled water. Someone told me that it could be tap water because it's not regulated by any agency.

Answer 1

No, the FDA does not regulate bottled water because it already comes from regular drinking water sources. A lot of bottled water actually comes from local municipalities, which means that it's being filled by tax payers money and sold back to the tax payers for gross profit. So yes, some bottled water is nothing more than filtered tap water. It's much cheaper to get yourself a filtering pitcher and keep it in the fridge, then you always have cold filtered water to drink. When you buy bottled water, you buy convenience, not better water.

However, if you do buy bottled water go for Crystal Geyser, it's almost always the cheapest.

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

Truth in labeling is administered by the FDA and food products sold across state lines must conform to it by law. As to whether the FDA inspects water bottling plants, only when there are some incredible complaints requiring an investigation, so it is not common.

Bottled water can be tap water that has been treated or filtered.

Answer 4

It not only could be tap water it is tap water. It can be either filtered,  purified, or distilled. It is regulated but not any better than regular tap water is.

Your best bet is to just get a water treatment system for home. It purifies the water. I use the top rated eSpring system. Only a distillery gets water cleaner. By year two it is cheaper per gallon than one of those cheapo Brittas. Plus it is healthier. Why pay for expensive bottled water, which you have to transport and then dispose of the bottles. Even if you recycle it saves energy if you don't buy them in the first place.