Section 25-B1004. BOTTLED WATER LABELING STANDARDS

 

1004.1All bottled water must conform to applicable federal labeling laws and state labeling laws in the jurisdiction in which the bottled water plant operates, and be labeled in compliance with the following standards:

 

(a)Mineral water may be labeled "mineral water". Bottled water to which minerals are added shall be labeled so as to disclose that minerals are added, and may not be labeled "natural mineral water";

 

(b)Spring water may be labeled "spring water" or "natural spring water";

 

(c)Water containing carbon dioxide that emerges from the source and is bottled directly with its entrapped gas or from which the gas is mechanically separated and later reintroduced at a level not higher than naturally occurring in the water may bear on its label the words "naturally carbonated" or "naturally sparkling";

 

(d)Bottled water that contains carbon dioxide other than that naturally occurring in the source of the product shall be labeled with the words "carbonated", "carbonation added", or "sparkling" if the carbonation is obtained from a natural or manufactured source;

 

(e)Well water may be labeled "well water" or "natural well water";

 

(f)Artesian water may be labeled "artesian water" or "natural artesian water";

 

(g)Purified water may be labeled "purified water" and the method of preparation shall be stated on the label, except that purified water produced by distillation may be labeled as "distilled water";

 

(h)Drinking water may be labeled "drinking water";

 

(i)The use of the word "spring" or any derivative of "spring" other than in a trademark, trade name, or company name, to describe water that is not spring water is prohibited; and

 

(j)Supplemental printed information and graphics may appear on the label but shall not imply properties of the product or preparation methods that are not factual.

 

1004.2Bottled soft drinks, soda, or seltzer products commonly recognized as soft drinks and identified on the product identity panel with a common or usual name other than one of those specified in section 9901 are exempt from the requirements of this section.

 

1004.3Water that is not in compliance with the requirements of this section shall not be identified, labeled, or advertised as "artesian water", "bottled water", "distilled water", "natural water", "purified water", "spring water", or "well water".

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 5245 (July 3, 2009).