Bisleri, Rail Neer or Kinley are Not Real Mineral Water! : Crores of people buy bottled water every day in India. By taking Rail Neer in the train, Bisleri, Kinley or Aquafina from the shop, most of the people think that they are drinking mineral water, which is better for health.
But the truth is that all these brands are not genuine mineral water. What people think is mineral water is actually packaged drinking water. Due to lack of correct information, people are unknowingly becoming victims of fraud.
Big difference between mineral water and packaged water
According to FSSAI and BIS rules, mineral water and packaged drinking water are two different categories. But due to marketing, both are considered the same. Due to this, confusion arises and customers make wrong choices.
What is packaged drinking water?
Packaged drinking water can be taken from any source, such as borewell, ground water or municipal supply. This water is purified through technologies such as RO, UV or ozonization. In this process almost all the natural minerals are removed from the water.
Later the essential minerals are added artificially. Bisleri, Rail Neer, Kinley and Aquafina fall in this category. “Packaged Drinking Water” is clearly written on all these bottles.
What is real natural mineral water?
Natural mineral water comes directly from natural springs or underground aquifers. No kind of chemical treatment is done in it. Minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium are naturally present in this water.
This type of water is bottled near the same source, so that its purity and mineral balance is maintained.
Original mineral water brands available in India
Genuine natural mineral water is also available in India, but they have different names. Like Himalayan, which is a brand of Tata, Vedika which is Premium Mineral Water of Bisleri, Aava which comes from the Aravalli region, apart from this there are also international brands like Evian and Voss. All these brands are much more expensive than common packaged water.
What do FSSAI rules say?
According to FSSAI, now it has been made mandatory to add calcium and magnesium in packaged drinking water also, because these minerals are removed in the RO process.
However, natural mineral water contains these minerals in natural and balanced quantities, which are better absorbed by the body.
Confusion is spreading due to marketing
Both types of water are safe to drink, but the problem arises when packaged drinking water is sold as “mineral water”. This is the reason why people get confused.
Rail Neer is the brand of IRCTC, which is prepared by RO and other treatments. This train is convenient for passengers, but it cannot be called Mineral Water. Similarly, Bisleri also sells Vedika brand separately for genuine mineral water.
What to keep in mind while buying water next time?
If you really want to buy mineral water, then “Natural Mineral Water” should be written on the bottle and you should also check the IS 13428 standard of BIS.
Otherwise, you will also keep buying packaged drinking water considering it to be mineral.
