Canadian Beverage Association responds to ETFO's call for bottled-water-free schools

Bottled water provides a healthy, safe and an important source of hydration

TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Beverage Association believes that maintaining proper hydration is essential to Ontarians' health; and bottled water is healthy, safe and an important source of hydration.

The Canadian Beverage Association strongly supports access to a safe drinking water supply and believes that it should not be a question of either municipal water or bottled water; rather there is a place for both based on a consumers need throughout the day.

"Bottled water does not compete with tap water rather bottled water competes with other bottled beverages," says Jim Goetz, President Canadian Beverage Association. "We believe that people have the right to choose the hydration option that meets their needs and preferences, whether that is tap or bottled water or a combination of both."

Bottled water is regulated by Health Canada and the beverage industry's facilities are inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Members test water for quality and safety before production, each hour during production and at the end of production.

Bottled water bottles are 100% recyclable.  Total PET non-alcoholic beverage containers account for less than 0.5% of all waste produced in Canada. The beverage industry's containers are the most recycled consumer product packaging in Canada. Recycling programs and infrastructure are supported by the industry and its producers in every jurisdiction in Canada.

The Canadian Beverage Association and its members are proud to provide Canadians with a wide variety of hydration options including bottled water. We believe that choice, variety and balance in everything we eat and drink are the cornerstones of a balanced diet.

The Canadian Beverage Association is the national trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages consumed in Canada.

For a copy of the Canadian Beverage Association's bottled water brochure, please visit, www.canadianbeverage.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Beverage Association

Stephanie Baxter
Canadian Beverage Association 
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