Organic bottled water? No such thing, says ABWI

Is all water organic, or are some water products more organic than others?

The Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) has supported the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC’s) position that bottled water products should not be labelled as organic.

“In October 2011, the bottled water industry’s peak body established an identical position to that of the ACCC in that bottled water products should not claim to be organic and cited potential problems for labels that continued to carry the term,” said Australian Beverages Council CEO Geoff Parker.

“ABWI members acknowledge and support a need for truthful labelling and believe the term organic should only be used on a food label in accordance with the Australian Standard 6000-2009 Organic and Biodynamic for products to ensure the integrity of the term.

“As per that Standard (section 6.2.3) natural products such as minerals, salt or water shall not be collected or harvested or processed and labelled as ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’.

“All ABWI members must comply with labelling provisions set out in the Australia New Zealand Foods Standards Code in addition to adhering to the Australian Consumer Law, as well as a strict set of voluntary standards as laid out in the ABWI Model Code for the safe processing and quality of bottled water. The industry position aligns with these existing high standards in place for members.”