Who regulates bottled water?
The bottled water industry is regulated on three levels: federal and state, and at the industry level for bottlers who are members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). Together these entities assure you bottled water is stringently regulated and tested.
- Nicolet Forest Bottling Company is an IBWA member.
Federal Regulations
On the federal level, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and performs annual, unannounced inspections of Nicolet's bottling facility.
Regulated as a packaged food product, bottled water must meet all applicable food-packaging regulations, including complying with FDA Standards of Quality.
- By law, FDA's bottled water Standards of Quality must be at least as stringent as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) standards for tap water provided by public water systems (municipal water). The FDA sets bottled water standards based on EPA's standards.
Like food products, bottled water is subject to the food adulteration and misbranding requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and FDA enforcement actions for any violations. Bottled water may be recalled from the marketplace.
- As an added measure of safety and quality, bottled water is one of only four packaged food products required to adhere to FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs).
Bottled water is subject to more regulations than bottled soft drinks.
Additionally, Nicolet Forest Bottling Company is an approved bottled-water source for federal government agencies. The U.S. Army VETCOM, a division of the Army that inspects food manufacturers, approves suppliers and then annually inspects their facilities.
Learn more about the FDA's bottled water regulations and related oversight.
State Regulations
On the state level, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection enforces state regulations and performs annual, unannounced inspections of Nicolet's bottling facility.
Learn more about Wisconsin's bottled water regulations.
Industry Regulations
On the industry level, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) ensures its bottler members comply with its Bottled Water Code Of Practice by hiring a nationally recognized, third-party organization to conduct mandatory, unannounced plant inspections annually and a comprehensive audit.
- Nicolet Forest Bottling Company is an IBWA member.
- IBWA membership is voluntary.
NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company™ (founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation), is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides these third-party, conformity assessment services.
- For the last seven years Nicolet Forest Bottling Company has received an Excellence In Manufacturing Award from the International Bottled Water Association. This certification requires a minimum score of 97 percent on NSF International's audit.
In several cases IBWA's Bottled Water Code Of Practice is stricter than FDA, EPA and state standards. To help ensure that bottled water is as safe and of the highest quality possible, all IBWA members use one or more of the following practices: source protection and monitoring, reverse osmosis, distillation, filtration, ozonation and ultraviolet light.
- Nicolet uses source protection and monitoring, filtration, ozonation and ultraviolet light.
If you have questions about bottled water regulations or Nicolet Forest Bottling Company's compliance, please call 1-888-NICOLET (1-888-642-6538) where experienced Nicolet Natural representatives are ready to help.
