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Fact Sheet on Questions About Bottled Water
and Fluoride
Some consumers use bottled water as a
beverage for various reasons, including as a convenient means of hydration
during their activities or as a taste preference. Besides having a cost
that is
between one-to-five thousand times more expensive than tap water,
bottled water may not have a sufficient amount of fluoride, which is important for
good oral health. Some bottled waters contain fluoride, and some do not.
Fluoride can occur naturally in source waters used for bottling or be
added. Most bottled waters contain fluoride at levels that are less than
optimal for oral health. This fact sheet covers common questions about
bottled water and fluoride.
Is the amount of fluoride in bottled water listed on the label?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require bottlers to
list the fluoride content in a bottle of water, but does require fluoride
additives to be listed. In 2006, the FDA approved labeling with the
statement, “Drinking fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay,” if
the bottled water contains greater than 0.6 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and up
to 1.0 mg/L.
How can I find out the level of fluoride in bottled water?
You must contact the manufacturer to ask about the fluoride content of a
particular brand of bottled water.
Will the fluoride content change if the water is stored in a bottle
for a lengthy period of time?
Fluoride will not react with other minerals in the water during storage, or
with its plastic or glass container. The FDA considers bottled water to be
safe indefinitely if produced in accordance with quality standard
regulations and if stored in an unopened, properly sealed container without
subsequent damage. However, many bottlers list an expiration date. If there
is no expiration date, it is a reasonable practice not to consume water 2
years after the date of purchase because undetected deterioration of the
packaging may have occurred.
Does consuming bottled water lead to more cavities?
Your oral health—specifically how many cavities you have—depends on many
factors, only one of which is how much fluoride you get in the form of
toothpaste, mouthwash, water, food, and applications by dental professionals
(other factors include how often and how well you brush and floss, what you
eat, and whether you get good dental care). If you mainly drink bottled
water with no or low fluoride and you are not getting enough fluoride from
other sources, you may get more cavities than you would if fluoridated tap
water were your main water source.
Does the FDA regulate fluoride in bottled water?
Yes. The federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides FDA with broad
regulatory authority over food, including bottled water, that is introduced
or delivered for interstate commerce (produced and sold in more than one
state). Bottled water that is in intrastate commerce (produced and sold only
in one state) is under the jurisdiction of the state in which the bottled
water is produced and sold. You need to contact the manufacturer to ask if
their product is under FDA jurisdiction or state jurisdiction.
What FDA regulations apply to bottled water?
The FDA regulations for governing the standards of “quality and identity”
for bottled water are found in the Code of Federal Register 21 CFR 165.110.
The FDA standards of quality state that domestic bottled water with no added
fluoride may contain between 1.4 and 2.4 mg/L fluoride, depending on the
annual average of maximum daily air temperatures at the location where the
bottled water is sold at retail. Imported bottled water with no added
fluoride may not contain fluoride in excess of 1.4 mg/L. Domestic bottled
water with added fluoride can contain between 0.8 and 1.7 mg/L fluoride,
depending on the annual average of maximum daily air temperatures at the
location where the bottled water is sold at retail. Imported bottled water
with added fluoride may not contain more than 0.8 mg/L fluoride. The
labeling requirements by the FDA do not stipulate listing the actual
fluoride content, so you will still need to contact the manufacturer to
inquire about verified fluoride levels of their product.
Does the EPA have jurisdiction over the
quality of bottled water?
The EPA does not have jurisdiction over the quality of bottled water. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the FDA have a 1979
Memorandum of Agreement specifying that the EPA regulates safe drinking
water in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the FDA regulates
bottled water as a consumer beverage under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(Federal Register, Volume 44, No. 141, July 20, 1979). The FDA has its own
regulations on standards of quality, identity, and good manufacturing
practices that bottled water must meet.
Can I use fluoridated water for preparing
infant formula?
Yes, you can use fluoridated water for preparing infant formula. However, if
your child is exclusively consuming infant formula reconstituted with
fluoridated water, there is an increased potential for mild dental fluorosis,
which is a white spotting on teeth. Additional information can be found in
the Fact Sheet on Infant Formula.
How can I learn more about bottled water?
For more information about bottled water visit—
* Links to non-Federal organizations are
provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an
endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none
should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual
organization Web pages found at this link.
Date last reviewed:
October 31, 2008
Date last updated: February 25, 2008
Content source:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
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