FOR MOST OF US, SPENDING RS 20 ON A LITER OF BOTTLED WATER IS ALMOST A DAILY HABIT. WHILE IT MAY SEEM CONVENIENT, THE TRUE COST TO OUR HEALTH COULD BE FAR GREATER. ON WORLD WATER DAY, EXPERTS SHED LIGHT ON THE HIDDEN HEALTH RISKS OF PACKAGED WATECR.
ARE THERE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BOTTLED WATER?:
Today, packaged water comes in various forms — mineral water, alkaline, and black alkaline water, flavored water, etc, each marketed with distinct health benefits. However, experts caution that scientific evidence supporting their benefits is limited.
“Most of it is a marketing tactic. While some brands do contain minerals or come from natural sources, their benefits rarely surpass those of clean, regular water.”
How premium branding often misleads consumers stating, “Labels like “Himalayan water” or ‘pure mineral water’ are often just marketing gimmicks. Most of this water is processed and repackaged. Always check for FSSAI certification and credible labelling.”
MITIGATE THE RISK:
- Carry your own water bottle/metal or paper glasses that can be refilled.
- If you buy bottled water, opt for glass bottles.
- If you can’t avoid buying plastic-bottled water, at least ensure it is BPA-free.
- Plastic-bottled water should be kept away from high temperatures, as BPA, a chemical commonly found in these bottles, enters the water, especially in heated temperatures. BPA is linked to health risks like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.
FSSAI DECLARES PACKAGED WATER AS “HIGH-RISK FOOD”:
- In December 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) categorized packaged drinking water and mineral water as a “High-Risk Food Category” for stricter quality control.
- ‘High-Risk Food Category’ includes foods prone to contamination and health risks, requiring strict regulations and frequent inspections for consumer safety. Examples include dairy, meat, seafood, infant foods, ready-to-eat foods, and now, packaged water.
- Now, manufacturers must undergo annual facility inspections and third-party food safety audits approved by FSSAI. This move aims to enhance quality standards and associated with packaged water production.
NANOPLASTICS IN BOTTLED WATER:
- In a study published in 2024 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers, using new technology, found 10 to 100 times more bits of plastic than previously estimated — majority nanoplastic (Plastic bits so tiny, they’re invisible even under a microscope), in bottled water in stores.
- 1 liter of bottled water contained on average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics, 90% of which were identified as nanoplastics and the rest, microplastics.
- The study mentions that nanoplastic can travel through the tissues of the digestive tract or lungs and enter the bloodstream, distributing harmful chemicals in the body that are used in manufacturing plastic.
- “The findings of the study reinforce long-held expert advice to drink tap water from glass or stainless containers to reduce exposure. This advice extends to other foods and drinks packaged in plastic as well.”
ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC BOTTLES:
To reduce the health and environmental risks, plastic bottled water pose, brands must look for packaging alternatives like:
- Glass.
- Aluminum cans.
- Tetra packs.
- Stainless steel.
- Biodegradable bottles.
- Bamboo bottles.
