A legal challenge against a major food and drink company regarding its labelling of spring water has been dismissed.
A lawsuit alleging that a renowned food and drink manufacturer misled consumers by labelling its spring water as ‘natural’ despite containing microplastics has been rejected. The case, proposed as a class action, accused the company of wrongly branding its product due to the presence of microplastics. However, US District Judge Thomas Durkin ruled on 7 November that current regulations permit the labelling of water as ‘natural spring water’ based on its source rather than its content. This decision was guided by the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration regulations for spring water do not address microplastics.
Judge Durkin clarified that ‘spring water’ is defined partly as water harvested from a ‘natural spring’, implying that as long as the water originates from such a source, it may be labelled ‘spring water’, and by extension, ‘natural’. This ruling arrives amidst growing public concern about microplastics in bottled products, such as water and other beverages.
Research from the Unity of New York has identified microplastic particles in water brands like Evian, San Pellegrino, and Highland Spring, suggesting that these may originate from plastic packaging. Nevertheless, the UK’s Food Standards Agency has communicated that the current levels of microplastics in water are considered non-harmful. The food and drink company involved in the case was contacted for a comment but has not responded.
This dismissal marks a significant point in ongoing discussions about the impact of microplastics, highlighting the complexities of regulation in the food and beverage industry.
