Regulation
Bottled water is one of the most extensively regulated packaged-food products. The industry receives government oversight from federal and state agencies nationwide, providing consumers with multiple safety assurances – from the finished product back to the source.
Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food industries and pharmaceuticals.
Bottled water must be tested for the same parameters as tap water, but in some cases the standards are stricter than for tap water. State governments inspect and certify the “sources” of spring water, which means samples, have been analyzed and their quality found to be safe and sanitary.
Oversight
Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) voluntarily submits to outside party inspection of all its bottling facilities. This audit ensures that the company meets the most stringent guidelines for sanitation and process control. In addition, NWNA complies with inspections from the FDA, OSHA and Nestlé Waters-mandated audits. NWNA employs a HACCP inspection plan at all its bottling facilities. HACCP is recognized worldwide as the leading food safety program for food and pharmaceuticals.
Environmental Oversight In McCloud
In McCloud, before any plant can permitted the revised project must undergo an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
To support this environmental analysis we have committed to two years of additional study of the Squaw Valley Creek watershed and surrounding habitat, which began in 2008. The data collected will be used in the evaluation of the newly-proposed, reduced-size water bottling facility, as well as provide valuable new information that can be used by the community in the future. During this time, studies on air and water quality, traffic conditions, hazardous materials and climate change will also be conducted and be used in the development of a new EIR/EA which will be made available through the CEQA and NEPA processes for public comment and feedback.
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