International Law

When is Purified Water Really Tap Water?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Consumer advertising laws are designed to inform consumers, but sometimes the results are very odd.

Consider this interpretation about what "bottled water" is, from a recent class action against Pepsi's Aquafina

"The plaintiff class alleged that graphics of a red and orange sun rising over snow-capped mountains and the slogan "Pure Water -- Perfect Taste" implied that the source of Aquafina was a mountain spring, rather than a municipal water tap.

As a result of this deception, plaintiffs allegedly paid a premium for Aquafina and alleged violations of numerous state laws."

But the Court decided:

"If bottled water is from a community water system -- tap water -- that fact must be clearly disclosed -- unless the water meets the definition of "purified water."

Uh, so George Orwell is alive and living on in the FDA?

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on December 10, 2008 (boomark / email).