Pepsico's 'purity' claim challenged

Pepsico's 'purity' claim challenged
March 24, 2010
Hindustan Times


New Delhi, March 24 -- Does the phrase "purity guaranteed" mislead you while purchasing packaged drinking water?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) believes it does. The bureau has even moved the Supreme Court to restrain Pepsico from using the phrase on its packaged water under the brand, Aquafina.

BIS has challenged a Delhi High Court verdict that allows the multinational to print "purity guaranteed" on its packaged water bottles. Water is not a single homogenous unit like petrol or oil and cannot be termed as pure, BIS has argued in its appeal against High Court judgment, permitting use of the "objectionable expression".

BIS's appeal states that pure water would only be distilled water used in batteries, which is not fit for human consumption. Hence, the use of words such as "pure" and "purity guaranteed" on packaged drinking water is a misnomer.

Water sold in packaged form, says BIS, is derived from any source of potable water and is later subjected to treatments, such as decantation, filtration, aeration and other methods to meet the prescribed standards.

"It may be disinfected by means of chemical agents or physical methods to reduce the micro-organisms to a level that would not lead to contamination in the drinking water, but a level that does not compromise food safety or suitability," reads the BIS appeal.

It adds the multinational organizations in trade or commerce are duty bound to take precautions and safeguards to promote and protect the rights of human beings, including their health and safety.

"Restrictions on the use of trade marks to achieve the said objectives is fair and reasonable," says BIS.Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.

WORLDWIDE RELEASE – The Story of Bottled Water

RELEASED TODAY! The Polaris Institute is proud to co-release the Story of Bottled Water – a 7 minute animated film exposing the truth about bottled water. Co-produced by the Story of Stuff Project, the Polaris Institute and other leading organizations, the film exposes the bottled water industry and makes the case for the public tap.

WATCH IT NOW

Take action now in 3 easy steps:

1. Watch the video online

2. Visit www.storyofbottledwater.org for additional resources and information

3. Send this email to 5 friends and encourage them to find out the real Story of Bottled Water


Thanks,


The Polaris Institute InsideTheBottle.org campaign team

Tony, Joe, Richard, Elly, Tanya, Daniel, and Cam

Thousands Mark Canadaʼs First Bottled Water Free Day

For immediate release

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thousands Mark Canadaʼs First Bottled Water Free Day

OTTAWA ––Today, Canadians across the country are participating in Canadaʼs first Bottled Water Free Day. Organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute, Bottled Water Free Day is intended to raise awareness about the negative impacts of bottled water.

“Across the country students are standing up against the wasteful bottled water industry,” said Noah Stewart, National Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “Tired of having to pay Coca Cola, Pepsi or Nestle for a drink of water weʼre calling on schools to ban the sale of bottled water and re-invest in water fountains.”

Highlights of Bottled Water Free Day include:

* Events on more than 60 university and college campuses across the country
* An announcement that Ryerson University will stop selling and distributing bottled
water
* The public release of documents, obtained through an Access to Information request,
showing that the CBC spent nearly $500,000 on bottled water between 2004 and
2008

“The success of Bottled Water Free Day shows the strength of the back-to-the-tap
movement,” says Elly Adeland, Water and Energy Campaigner for the Polaris Institute.
“Bottled Water sales in North America have plummeted and across the country Canadians are pledging to kick the bottle – clearly the tap is making a comeback.”
Bottled Water Free Day is taking place after years of escalating bottled water backlash in Canada. To date 76 municipalities, 4 municipal associations (including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), 8 school boards, 5 university campuses and countless businesses have implemented restrictions on bottled water.

For a full list of events and endorsing organisations visit: www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

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For more information, please contact:
Noah Stewart, Canadian Federation of Students, (613) 232-7394
Elly Adeland, Polaris Institute (613) 237-1717 x104

Thousands of Canadians to Participate in Canada’s First Bottled Water Free Day on March 11th

MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Thousands of Canadians to Participate in Canada’s First Bottled Water Free Day on March 11th

OTTAWA – On Thursday March 11, Canadians from coast to coast will be participating in Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day.

Highlights of Bottled Water Free Day include:

Announcements by Ryerson University regarding the sale of bottled water; events on more than 60 college and university campuses; the release of data on spending by the CBC on bottled water obtained through an Access to Information Request.

More than 70 organisations, institutions and municipalities including the Sierra Club of Canada, Canadian Labour Congress, City of Sudbury, and Durham Catholic District School Board have endorsed Bottled Water Free Day to date.

Bottled Water Free Day is organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute.

For a full list of events and endorsing organisations visit: www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

Noah Stewart, Canadian Federation of Students, (613) 232-7394 dchair@cfs-fcee.ca

Elly Adeland, Polaris Institute (613) 237-1717 x104 elly@polarisinstitute.org