The manufacturers of infant formula provide directions for mixing their
products with water and usually do not specify the source of water other
than to indicate that the water should be safe to drink. In most
situations, it is safe to mix formula using ordinary cold tap water that
is brought to a boil and boiled for one minute or as directed on the
label of the infant formula. Some water companies wish to make available
bottled waters which are marketed for infants and for use in mixing with
infant formula. When manufacturers label their water as intended for
infants, the water must meet the same standards established for tap water
by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label must also indicate
that the bottled water is not sterile. As with tap water, consumers
should boil bottled water one minute before mixing with infant formula.
Water that is sterilized by the manufacturer and intended for use with
infants must meet certain strict FDA standards.
Source: Excerpted from Overview of Infant Formulas August 1997