Sarah grabbed her usual lime-flavoured water from the supermarket cooler, feeling virtuous about choosing something “healthier” than soda. The bottle promised natural spring water with a hint of citrus – simple, clean, refreshing. But as she twisted off the cap, she had no idea that what she was drinking had gone through industrial processing similar to soft drinks, despite the pristine mountain imagery on the label.
Like millions of consumers, Sarah assumed bottled flavoured waters were just pure water with a splash of natural fruit essence. The reality, as French consumer watchdog 60 Millions de consommateurs recently revealed, is far more complex.
These colourful bottles lining store shelves aren’t the simple hydration solution they appear to be. Behind the wellness marketing and fresh branding lies a manufacturing process that might surprise you.
The Legal Loophole That Changes Everything
Here’s where things get interesting: bottled flavoured waters aren’t actually classified as water once those natural flavours get added. This legal distinction completely changes how they can be processed and treated.
In France, the moment producers add flavouring – even natural fruit essences – to mineral or spring water, the product loses its protected status. It transforms from pristine “natural mineral water” into something regulators treat more like a soft drink.
“Once flavours are added, the product loses the special mineral or spring protection and can be treated like any other processed beverage,” explains a regulatory expert familiar with European water standards.
This shift opens the door to industrial treatments that would never be allowed on pure bottled water. Suddenly, your “natural” citrus water can undergo the same disinfection processes as mass-produced sodas.
The irony? Many people choose bottled flavoured waters specifically to avoid heavily processed drinks, not realising they’re getting exactly that.
What Really Happens During Treatment
When bottled flavoured waters lose their protected status, manufacturers can use various processing methods to ensure shelf stability and safety. Here’s what might happen to your drink before it reaches the bottle:
- UV sterilisation – High-intensity ultraviolet light kills bacteria and viruses
- Ozonation – Ozone gas eliminates microorganisms and extends shelf life
- Multi-stage filtration – Removes particles and potential contaminants
- Heat treatment – Pasteurisation-style heating destroys harmful microbes
- Chemical disinfection – Similar methods used for tap water treatment
These treatments aren’t necessarily harmful – they’re designed to make products safer. But they’re a far cry from the “pure mountain spring” image most brands project.
| Product Type | Treatment Allowed | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Mineral Water | Minimal processing only | Protected designation |
| Flavoured Water | Industrial treatments permitted | Processed beverage category |
| Spring Water | Limited treatment allowed | Protected with restrictions |
| Soft Drinks | Full range of processing | Manufactured beverage |
“Flavoured water is closer to a manufactured drink than to a simple bottled spring, both in process and in regulation,” notes a food industry analyst.
The 60 Millions de consommateurs investigation found that consumers rarely understand this distinction. The packaging doesn’t exactly advertise the industrial processing steps involved.
Why This Matters for Your Health and Wallet
This revelation affects different people in different ways, depending on what you’re looking for in a beverage choice.
For health-conscious consumers trying to avoid processed foods, this news might be disappointing. That bottle of raspberry-infused water you thought was minimally processed has likely undergone similar treatment to mass-market sodas.
Parents buying flavoured waters for kids, thinking they’re choosing something closer to plain water than juice, might want to reconsider. The processing levels can be comparable to other packaged beverages.
“Many shoppers believe they’re buying ‘just water with a hint of fruit,’ when in regulatory terms they’re closer to lemonade with toned-down sugar,” explains a consumer rights advocate.
From an environmental perspective, the manufacturing process for bottled flavoured waters typically requires more energy and resources than simple bottled water. The multiple treatment steps add to the carbon footprint.
Financially, you’re paying premium prices for what’s essentially industrially processed water with artificial or natural flavouring. A home water filter and fresh fruit slices might deliver similar results at a fraction of the cost.
The takeaway isn’t necessarily that bottled flavoured waters are dangerous – they’re regulated and generally safe to drink. But they’re not the simple, natural product many consumers believe they’re purchasing.
If your goal is to avoid processed beverages, plain bottled spring water or filtered tap water with fresh fruit might better match your intentions. If you just want something tasty and refreshing, then understanding what you’re actually buying helps you make an informed choice.
What Brands Aren’t Telling You
The marketing disconnect becomes obvious when you compare front-of-package messaging with the actual production process. Brands emphasise natural ingredients, pristine sources, and wellness benefits while staying quiet about industrial treatment steps.
This isn’t necessarily deceptive – the treatments used are legal and often necessary for safety. But the gap between consumer perception and reality has grown significant.
Some manufacturers are starting to be more transparent about their processes, but you’ll typically find this information buried in small print or on company websites rather than prominently displayed.
The French consumer group’s investigation serves as a reminder to read beyond the marketing. Those beautiful mountain scenes and fruit illustrations tell only part of the story.
“The nuance often disappears on front labels. You see fruit, sunshine and alpine peaks. You rarely see mention of industrial treatment steps, even if they are perfectly legal and controlled,” observes a packaging industry expert.
Moving forward, consumer awareness seems to be the key. The more people understand what they’re actually buying, the better equipped they are to make choices that align with their health goals and values.
FAQs
Are bottled flavoured waters safe to drink?
Yes, they’re regulated and generally safe. The treatments used are designed to eliminate harmful microorganisms and ensure product safety.
Why don’t labels mention the treatment processes?
Manufacturers aren’t required to list processing methods on front labels, and it doesn’t align with the natural, wellness-focused marketing these products typically use.
Is flavoured water better than regular soda?
Flavoured waters typically contain fewer calories and less sugar than regular sodas, but they undergo similar processing methods.
Can I make flavoured water at home instead?
Absolutely. Adding fresh fruit, herbs, or natural flavourings to plain or filtered water gives you control over ingredients and processing.
Do all flavoured waters undergo industrial treatment?
Most commercially produced bottled flavoured waters undergo some form of processing to ensure safety and shelf stability, though specific methods vary by manufacturer.
What’s the difference between spring water and flavoured water legally?
Spring water maintains protected status with minimal processing allowed, while flavoured water is classified as a processed beverage with fewer restrictions on treatment methods.