Bottled water is a food product, and as such, the bottled water industry is regulated by an organization responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety of the food supply.
Rules and guidelines related to the composition of packaging materials, properties and suitable applications for food contact. Packaging materials that meet the standards are considered compatible and safe for use as packaging materials that come into contact with food. It has determined that containers used in the bottled water industry are safe for use with food and beverage products – including bottled water – and do not pose a health risk to consumers.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, easily identified by the recycling code number 1 on or near the bottom of the container, is probably the most familiar bottled water packaging material. PET plastic is used to make convenient, portable 24oz, 16.9oz (half liter) and 8oz bottles for kids. Some bottled water companies even use PET plastic for their 3- and 5-gallon jugs, which is commonly used for water coolers. But bottled water containers are not the only food product packaged in PET plastic. A variety of foods – from peanut butter, salad dressing, pasta dressing, baked goods, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine and spirits – are available in PET plastic containers. PET has been used to package beverages, food, and other products for over 35 years. For the record, PET plastic does not contain bisphenol A (BPA).
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is another plastic bottled water packaging material that has been approved as safe for food contact. HDPE, easily identified by the recycling code number 2 on or near the bottom of the container, is used not only for packaging bottled water but also for other food products such as milk and juice, as well as other products that are easily found in the home. to be Such as shampoo, dish soap and laundry detergent bottles. HDPE is commonly used as bottled water packaging in 1-gallon jugs and 2-gallon water dispensers found in grocery stores.
Polycarbonate plastic has been used as a packaging material for food and beverage containers for more than 50 years because it is lightweight, highly shatter-resistant, and transparent. Some bottled water companies have used polycarbonate plastic for their 3 and 5 gallon cooler water bottles. In addition to food containers, it has also been widely used in many other everyday items such as glasses and CDs. Like all food packaging materials, bottled water containers made of polycarbonate are approved for food contact. Polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins are made using bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical building block that is considered safe for consumer use by other regulatory agencies around the world. In fact, it has stated that, due to the agency’s “ongoing safety review of scientific evidence, available information continues to support the safety of BPA for currently approved uses in food containers and packaging.”
Glass is a packaging option that some bottled water companies use for their premium bottled waters. All glass used for bottled water containers as food contact material by .
