Accuracy of bottled drinking water label content

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the accuracy of the concentration of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels mentioned on the labels of the various brands of bottled drinking water available in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Twenty-one different brands of locally produced non-carbonated (still water) bottled drinking water were collected from the supermarkets of Riyadh. The concentration of F, Ca, TDS, and pH values were noted from the labels of the bottles. The samples were analyzed for concentrations in the laboratory using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean level of F, Ca, and pH were found as 0.86 ppm, 38.47 ppm, and 7.5, respectively, which were significantly higher than the mean concentration of these elements reported in the labels. Whereas, the mean TDS concentration was found 118.87 ppm, which was significantly lower than the mean reported on the labels. In tropical countries like Saudi Arabia, the appropriate level of F concentration in drinking water as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) should be 0.6-0.7 ppm. Since the level of F was found to be significantly higher than the WHO recommended level, the children exposed to this level could develop objectionable fluorosis. The other findings, like pH value, concentrations of Ca, and TDS, were in the range recommended by the WHO and Saudi standard limits and therefore should have no obvious significant health implications.

Fluoride concentration in bottled water: a systematic review

“…Besides, it constitutes an irregularity; this situation may induce the public to consume a product with the intention of obtaining some benefit that the bottle water could not really provide. This finding reinforces the warnings raised by several researchers and also reveals the needs of a periodical checking in order to confirm the accomplishment of the legislation 10,14,17,18,[20][21][22][23]25,26,29 . Furthermore, the parameters that define hazard to health and instruct the content of labelling were diverse and should be revised as many of them can represent exposure to dental fluorosis of esthetic significance for the children.…”

Quality Monitoring of Various Local and Imported Brands of Bottled Drinking Water in Saudi Arabia

“…The average concentration level of F, Ca, and pH were found as 0.86 mg/L, 38.47 mg/L, and 7.5 mg/L, respectively, which were higher than the average concentrations reported in the labels. However, the average TDS concentration was found as 118.87 mg/L which was lower than average concentrations reported on the labels [14]. Various observed levels of pH, TDS and Ca pose no obvious health impacts since they were in or below the recommended range and will have no change to our findings.…”

Comparison of Fluoride Content in Drinking Water and Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in 6 - 12-Year-Old Students in Mariwan (a Cold Region) and Behbahan (a Warm Region) during the 2013 - 2014 Educational Year

“…Based on WHO recommendations, the optimal fluoride content of drinking water should be 0.6 -0.8 ppm in regions with a maximum daily temperature of 26.3 -32.6°C and a yearly mean of 1.2 ppm in regions with a temperature of 10 -12°C (WHO guidelines, 2006). The optimal fluoride content of drinking water is therefore 0.6 -1.2 ppm, depending on the temperature of the region (14,15).…”

“…The critical period for exposure to high fluoride levels is 1 -4 years of age; children of 8 years of age are at no risk. The safe fluoride dose has been reported to be 0.05 -0.07 mg/kg daily (13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”