Q:  I have seen bottled water marked for use in preparing infant formula. What does this mean?


 A: The manufacturers of infant formula provide directions for mixing their products with water and usually do not specify the source of water other than to indicate that the water should be safe to drink. In most situations, it is safe to mix formula using ordinary cold tap water that is brought to a boil and boiled for one minute or as directed on the label of the infant formula. Some water companies wish to make available bottled waters which are marketed for infants and for use in mixing with infant formula. When manufacturers label their water as intended for infants, the water must meet the same standards established for tap water by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label must also indicate that the bottled water is not sterile. As with tap water, consumers should boil bottled water one minute before mixing with infant formula. Water that is sterilized by the manufacturer and intended for use with infants must meet certain strict FDA standards.

 

Source: Excerpted from Overview of Infant Formulas August 1997

Refresh Q&A Frames
Foods Home   |   FDA Home   |   Search/Subject Index   |   Disclaimers & Privacy Policy   |   Accessibility/Help