International Bottled Water Association: What People Need to Know About Bottled Water During the COVID-19 Outbreak

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 11 -- The International Bottled Water Association issued the following news release:

As people who are concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak prepare themselves, demand for bottled water has increased. To meet this surge in demand, bottled water companies have increased their capacity to provide customers with the water that they need, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) said in response to recent media stories and requests.

IBWA's member companies are working tirelessly to ensure that their customer and retail consumer needs are met. This includes increasing bottling capacity, acquiring extra packaging and materials, and working with retailers to determine demand.

It is important to note that no authority has directed consumers to stock up on bottled water in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak. For information about preventative actions to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov.

People should always be prepared for the unexpected by having on hand: extra food, drinking water, and other essential items, such as prescriptions and sanitary supplies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends people should have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day available for emergency situations. Buying and storing bottled water is a safe and convenient way to ensure you'll have an adequate supply available when needed. Taking action before emergencies occur can make a significant difference in one's ability to handle the resulting shortages of supplies.

Bottled water is always there when you need it -- in good times and in bad, such as public health emergencies.

"The bottled water industry is always at the forefront during relief efforts before, during and after emergencies and natural disasters," said Jill Culora, vice president of communications for IBWA. "Every year, millions of gallons of bottled water are provided to those in need."

Watch: "Bottled water: it's there when you need it, " a video that highlights bottled water's role during emergencies or natural disasters.

For more information about bottled water, visit: www.bottledwater.org

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The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.

IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often - whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.