Experts at a Hanoi conference Friday called for more caution in using bottled water, as the production process has been simplified and minerals contained are not always good for people

Consumers should not see bottled water as “pure water” because it is not really pure as claimed; and the minerals in “mineral water” can have unhealthy side-effects, experts said at a Hanoi conference Friday.

“But commercial producers have simplified the process.

“They take ground or tap water, remove impurities, unpleasant smells and taste, then distil the water once before bottling.”

“Even when they use advanced equipment, if they’re careless during the decontamination and bottling processes, the water is still dirty.”

Ninh was speaking at the Water and Human Health conference organized by the Institute of Nutrition.

Most bottled water producers these days are using filtering taps made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

“That doesn’t meet hygiene requirements,” said Dr. Hoang Kim Thanh of the institute, as silicon or medical plastic taps should be used instead.

He added that even if the bottled water is technically pure, it is not healthy for use in the long term, as many people think.

“The water only contains hydrogen and oxygen, so those depending on it for a long time will lack certain necessary elements.”

Suspect minerals

Ninh told the conference minerals are important for people’s health, but so far, scientists have only discovered the functions of some, like calcium, zinc and fluoride. Many others still remain a mystery.

Even a useful mineral can reverse its beneficial impacts if there is too much of it, he said. Zinc is good for the immune system but more than 15 milligrams of zinc a day can be toxic. Calcium strengthens bones and teeth, but it also carries the risk of people suffering calcium carbonate kidney stones.

Thanh said the amount of zinc in water is usually low, at 3 milligrams a liter, but water taken near zinc mines can contain more.

According to experts at the conference, water containing one or more than one gram of minerals a liter is considered a fluid used for medical purposes that should be used under doctor’s instructions.

They also advised people not to use mineral water when taking medicines or dissolving milk powder because it can add redundant elements.

Ho Tat Thang, vice chairman of Vietnam’s Standard and Consumer Protection Association, told the experts the quality of bottled water has dropped to an alarming point.

He asked the health ministry to issue special regulations regarding production of bottled water, including the exploitation of water sources.

Reported by Nam Son