94-12666. Quality Standards for Foods With No Identity Standards; Bottled Water  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 25, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-12666]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: May 25, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Food and Drug Administration
    
    21 CFR Part 103
    
    [Docket No. 92N-0059]
    
     
    
    Quality Standards for Foods With No Identity Standards; Bottled 
    Water
    
    AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the 
    standard of quality regulation for bottled water to establish an 
    allowable level of 0.005 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for lead in 
    bottled water. FDA also is retaining the existing allowable level of 
    1.0 mg/L for copper in bottled water. This final rule will ensure both 
    that the minimum quality of bottled water with respect to copper and 
    lead remains comparable to the quality of public drinking water, and 
    that bottled water will be free of any significant lead contamination. 
    This final rule is consistent with FDA's goal of reducing consumers' 
    exposure to lead in drinking water to the extent practicable.
    
    DATES: Effective November 21, 1994. The Director of the Office of the 
    Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference in accordance 
    with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of certain publications in 21 
    CFR 103.35(d)(3)(v), effective November 21, 1994.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Henry S. Kim, Center for Food Safety 
    and Applied Nutrition (HFS-306), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C 
    St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-4681.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        Under section 410 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the 
    act) (21 U.S.C. 349), whenever the Environmental Protection Agency 
    (EPA) prescribes interim or revised National Primary Drinking Water 
    Regulations (NPDWR's) under section 1412 of the Public Health Service 
    Act (The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (42 U.S.C. 300f through 300j-
    9)), FDA is required to consult with EPA and either amend its 
    regulations for bottled drinking water (Sec. 103.35(21 CFR 103.35)) or 
    publish in the Federal Register its reasons for not making such 
    amendments.
        In the Federal Register of June 7, 1991 (56 FR 26460), EPA 
    published a final rule promulgating NPDWR's that established corrosion 
    control treatment technique requirements for controlling lead and 
    copper levels in public water systems when these contaminants exceed 
    levels of 0.015 mg/L for lead and 1.3 mg/L for copper in more than 10 
    percent of targeted tap samples. Targeted tap water samples represent 
    samples collected from residences most likely to have lead problems as 
    a result of corrosion in the distribution systems. EPA established 
    treatment technique requirements rather than maximum contaminant levels 
    (MCL's) for lead and copper in drinking water because it believed that 
    treatment technique requirements are more appropriate to control 
    contamination of lead and copper that is largely the result of 
    circumstances beyond the direct control of public water systems (i.e., 
    corrosion in service lines not owned by the systems and in the plumbing 
    of residences and buildings). In addition, EPA established maximum 
    contaminant level goals (MCLG's) of zero for lead and 1.3 mg/L for 
    copper which are based solely on considerations of protecting the 
    public from the adverse health effects of these contaminants in 
    drinking water.
        In accordance with section 410 of the act, FDA published in the 
    Federal Register of January 5, 1993 (58 FR 389), a proposal to amend 
    the quality standard for bottled water to establish an allowable level 
    of 0.005 mg/L for lead and to retain the existing allowable level of 
    1.0 mg/L for copper. FDA proposed a lower level of 0.005 mg/L for lead 
    in bottled water than EPA's level of 0.015 mg/L for lead in drinking 
    water that triggers treatment technique requirements. FDA's data showed 
    that most bottlers do not normally experience the significant lead 
    contamination problems from corrosion of materials that are presented 
    by public water distribution systems and residential plumbing (e.g., 
    pipes, faucets, and solder), and that bottlers can produce bottled 
    water products with lead levels below 0.005 mg/L. Furthermore, this 
    level represents the lowest level at which FDA can take enforcement 
    action because it corresponds to the practical quantitation limit (PQL) 
    of the best available analytical methods for determining lead levels in 
    water. Finally, FDA noted that establishing the allowable level for 
    lead at 0.005 mg/L would provide public health protection at least 
    equivalent to that provided by EPA's NPDWR and would ensure that 
    bottled water products are free of significant lead contamination.
        With respect to the allowable level for copper, the existing 
    allowable level of 1.0 mg/L in bottled water is below EPA's MCLG of 1.3 
    mg/L and is equivalent to EPA's secondary maximum contaminant level 
    (SMCL), which is based on the aesthetic effects of copper in drinking 
    water. Thus, FDA proposed to retain the existing allowable level to 
    ensure that levels of copper in bottled water meet the safety and 
    aesthetic criteria that EPA has established for copper in drinking 
    water.
        On November 8, 1990, the enactment of the Nutrition Labeling and 
    Education Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-535) removed standard of quality 
    rulemakings from the coverage of the formal rulemaking procedures in 
    section 701(e) of the act (21 U.S.C. 371(e)). FDA, therefore, proposed 
    the amendments to the bottled water quality standard regulations for 
    lead and copper using notice and comment rulemaking under section 
    701(a) of the act. Interested persons were given until March 8, 1993, 
    to comment on the proposed regulation.
    
    II. Summary of and Response to Comments
    
    A. Summary of Comments
    
        FDA received approximately 130 responses to the January 5, 1993, 
    proposal. Each of these responses contained one or more comments from 
    industry, consumers, trade associations, Federal government officials, 
    State government agencies, consumer advocacy organizations, and a 
    private research foundation. The comments generally supported the 
    proposal. Many comments addressed issues that are outside the scope of 
    the proposal (e.g., allowable levels for total trihalomethanes, 
    chlorine, and fluoride in the quality standard for bottled water). 
    These comments will not be discussed here. A number of comments 
    suggested modifications to, or were opposed to, various provisions of 
    the proposal. A summary of the suggested changes, the opposing 
    comments, and the agency's responses follows.
    
    B. Response to Comments
    
        1. Most comments supported the proposed allowable levels of 0.005 
    mg/L for lead and 1.0 mg/L for copper in the quality standard for 
    bottled water. One comment, however, stated that the allowable level 
    for lead in bottled water should not be any lower than EPA's corrosion 
    treatment trigger level of 0.015 mg/L for lead in drinking water 
    because this level corresponds to an average lead level of 0.005 mg/L, 
    the level which most bottled waters do not exceed. The comment argued 
    that the fact that 0.005 mg/L is at the lower limit of reliable 
    measurement for lead does not justify setting a standard at that level. 
    The comment further argued that setting a standard for lead in bottled 
    water is not necessary because lead content is not a problem in bottled 
    water. The comment maintained that imposing regulations for the sake of 
    regulation is a problem because of the high costs incurred by diverting 
    FDA resources from significant regulatory concerns.
        FDA disagrees with this comment. Under section 410 of the act, 
    FDA's approach has been to respond to EPA's promulgation of drinking 
    water regulations under the SDWA by amending the quality standard for 
    bottled water to maintain compatibility with EPA's regulations. FDA 
    concludes that amending the standard for lead in bottled water to 0.005 
    mg/L is fully compatible and consistent with the EPA standard.
        Based on the available health effects information, EPA established 
    an MCLG of zero for lead in drinking water. By adopting this MCLG, EPA 
    was in effect saying that if zero lead in drinking water can be 
    achieved, it should be achieved. However, EPA concluded that zero lead 
    in public drinking water could not be achieved because of contamination 
    of the water with lead from corrosion of lead-containing materials in 
    public water distribution systems and in residential plumbing. To 
    control this contamination, EPA established treatment technique 
    requirements which are triggered when more than 10 percent of the 
    targeted tap water samples exceeds 0.015 mg/L for lead.
        Bottled water, however, generally does not have significant lead 
    contamination problems. FDA conducted a survey of bottled water in 1990 
    (Ref. 1), and the findings of that survey show that most bottlers are 
    using source waters that are free of significant lead contamination and 
    can readily produce bottled water products with lead levels below 0.005 
    mg/L, the PQL for lead in water. Consequently, because this level, 
    which is as close to EPA's MCLG of zero as possible, is achievable in 
    bottled water, there is no reason for FDA to rely on EPA's 0.015 mg/L 
    trigger level in establishing an allowable level for lead in bottled 
    water. In fact, in its review and comment on FDA's proposal (before it 
    published in the Federal Register), EPA stated that the regulatory 
    approach taken by FDA to establish an allowable level of 0.005 mg/L for 
    lead in bottled water is consistent with the intent of the NPDWR for 
    lead in public drinking water (Ref. 4).
        2. One comment asserted that there is no safe threshold for lead in 
    drinking water and, because technological resources and knowledge make 
    it feasible to measure lead in water at the 0.002 mg/L level, FDA 
    should establish the allowable level for lead in bottled water at that 
    level. The comment contended that, because large water companies have 
    been testing for lead and reporting lead levels of 0, 0.001, 0.002, 
    0.003, and 0.004 mg/L to EPA, the PQL is substantially lower than 0.005 
    mg/L. The comment stated that another organization, which has limited 
    resources and is not in the business of supplying water commercially, 
    uses a laboratory that has found the PQL to be 0.002 mg/L when testing 
    for lead in bottled water. The comment further argued that EPA's PQL 
    concept is theoretically inappropriate for safety determinations 
    because the error theory of laboratory measurements (i.e., the 
    distinction between the standard error of a single measurement and the 
    standard error among a group of measurements) upon which EPA bases its 
    determination of the PQL is misleading.
        FDA disagrees that EPA's PQL concept is inappropriate. EPA's PQL is 
    set at the lowest concentration for a contaminant that laboratories 
    certified by the States or by EPA for water analyses can reliably 
    measure within specified limits of precision and accuracy under routine 
    laboratory operating conditions. EPA also determines the PQL based on 
    the method detection limit (MDL), which is defined as the lowest 
    concentration of a substance that can be measured with 99 percent 
    confidence that the true value is greater than zero. EPA generally sets 
    the PQL at 5 to 10 times the MDL, depending on the degree of health 
    risk posed by a contaminant (for contaminants like lead that pose a 
    high degree of health risk, EPA sets the PQL at 5 times the MDL), and, 
    if possible, confirms the PQL by interlaboratory performance evaluation 
    studies.
        Based on EPA's calculation of a 0.001 mg/L MDL for lead by the most 
    sensitive analytical methods available, EPA set the PQL for lead at 
    0.005 mg/L. EPA confirmed this level by performance evaluation studies 
    that evaluated the ability of EPA, State, and non-EPA and State 
    laboratories to analyze water samples with low lead levels (56 FR 26460 
    at 26511, June 7, 1991).
        Although the comment stated that a laboratory used by another 
    organization found the PQL to be 0.002 mg/L for lead in bottled water, 
    it did not provide any data to support that laboratory's determination. 
    Therefore, this comment has not provided an adequate basis upon which 
    to call into question EPA's PQL.
        In summary, based on the studies conducted by EPA establishing a 
    PQL of 0.005 mg/L for lead in drinking water, FDA finds that an 
    allowable level of 0.005 mg/L for lead in the quality standard for 
    bottled water is appropriate.
        3. Another comment stated that, although it strongly endorsed the 
    proposed allowable level for lead in bottled water, FDA should review 
    this standard in a few years because EPA's 1991 rule for lead in 
    drinking water has led to increased analysis for lead in water, and, 
    using the best available methodology, many laboratories can now 
    routinely measure lead levels at 0.001 or 0.002 mg/L in water samples. 
    The comment maintained that measurement of lead in water at these 
    levels may soon be the standard, ``state of the art'' technology, and 
    that it would be appropriate to set the allowable level in bottled 
    water at the limit of detection, i.e., 0.005 mg/L, or no detectable 
    lead, whichever is less.
        FDA disagrees that establishing the allowable level for lead in 
    bottled water at the limit of detection, i.e., 0.005 mg/L, or no 
    detectable lead, whichever is less, is appropriate. As discussed above, 
    0.005 mg/L, the PQL for lead in water, represents the lowest 
    concentration that State- or EPA-certified laboratories for water 
    analyses can reliably measure within specified limits of precision and 
    accuracy under routine laboratory operating conditions. FDA recognizes 
    that lead levels in water can be measured below 0.005 mg/L. However, to 
    take an enforcement action based on level of a contaminant in a food, 
    FDA must be able to reliably establish the level of the contaminant in 
    the food. EPA's PQL of 0.005 mg/L has been confirmed by performance 
    evaluation studies as the lowest level of lead in water samples that 
    can be reliably and consistently measured (56 FR 26460 at 26511). Thus, 
    FDA has concluded that reliance on the PQL as the allowable level for 
    lead in bottled water is appropriate.
        Nevertheless, FDA agrees that technology for analytical methodology 
    is constantly advancing. Reliable measurement of lead levels below 
    0.005 mg/L in water samples, within specified limits of precision and 
    accuracy under routine laboratory operating conditions, may soon become 
    the general norm. Therefore, FDA agrees with the comment that within 
    the next few years, it should consult with EPA about reevaluating the 
    PQL for lead in water. Moreover, FDA recognizes that, should EPA revise 
    the PQL, FDA will need to consider whether an allowable level for lead 
    in bottled water below 0.005 mg/L is appropriate.
        4. A State government agency and a majority of the comments from 
    industry and trade associations opposed the statement in the proposal 
    that if the proposal becomes a final rule, bottlers will be required to 
    test each lot of bottled water to ensure that it contains less than 
    0.005 mg/L of lead. The comments argued that, because most bottlers are 
    routinely meeting the 0.005 mg/L standard for lead, a requirement for 
    testing each lot of bottled water for lead is not necessary. 
    Furthermore, the majority of the comments argued that testing each lot 
    of bottled water for lead would impose a significant financial burden 
    on the bottled water industry. For example, comments from two trade 
    associations representing bottled water manufacturers maintained that a 
    requirement for testing each lot of bottled water for lead would impose 
    additional annual costs that they estimated at $15,000 for a small 
    bottler and $300,000 for a large bottler.
        Under the current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations 
    for the processing and bottling of bottled drinking water (part 129 (21 
    CFR part 129)), bottlers are required to analyze, at least annually, 
    for chemical contaminants, including lead, in a representative sample 
    from a batch or a segment of a continuous production run for each type 
    of bottled drinking water produced during a day's production 
    (Sec. 129.80(g)(2)). Therefore, bottlers will not be required to test 
    each lot of bottled water for the presence of lead. The statement that 
    they would, which was inadvertently included in the economic impact 
    analysis, was in error.
        However, FDA reminds water bottlers that each lot of bottled water 
    must comply with the quality standard for chemical contaminants, and 
    compliance with the minimum annual testing requirements of the CGMP 
    does not exempt a firm from regulatory action if any lot of bottled 
    water does not meet any provision of the chemical quality standard.
        5. Several comments recommended that testing for chemical 
    contaminants (e.g., lead and copper) should be more frequent than the 
    required minimum of annual testing. One comment noted that, although 
    FDA has established quality standards for bottled water, it did not set 
    any requirements for monitoring timeframes or submission of results to 
    ensure that bottlers meet the quality standards. Moreover, the comment 
    objected to allowing distribution of a bottled water product that is 
    below the water quality standard, arguing that, given the emphasis on 
    the quality of bottled water verses tap water by the bottled water 
    industry, bottlers are not likely to print a ``substandard'' statement 
    on the label.
        FDA agrees that bottlers are not likely to market bottled water 
    that would be required to bear a statement of substandard quality with 
    respect to lead. However, FDA notes that the use of such a statement on 
    the label of a food covered by a standard of quality is specifically 
    provided for by section 403(h)(1) of the act (21 U.S.C. 343(h)(1)), if 
    that food falls below the prescribed quality standard. Therefore, FDA 
    cannot preclude the use of the statement of substandard quality. 
    Nonetheless, Sec. 103.35(g) provides that any bottled water containing 
    a substance at a level considered injurious to health under section 402 
    of the act (21 U.S.C. 342) is deemed to be adulterated and may be 
    subject to regulatory action, even if the bottled water bears a label 
    statement of substandard quality.
        FDA notes that the CGMP regulations for processing and bottling of 
    bottled drinking water (part 129) require that the water to be bottled 
    be obtained from an approved source properly located, protected, and 
    operated; be of a safe, sanitary quality; and be in compliance at all 
    times with the applicable laws and regulations of the government agency 
    or agencies having jurisdiction (Sec. 129.35). In addition, 
    Sec. 129.35(a) requires that samples of source water be analyzed as 
    often as necessary, but at least once each year, for chemical 
    contaminants, and Sec. 129.80(g) requires that each type of bottled 
    water product be analyzed at least annually for chemical contaminants. 
    Moreover, Sec. 129.80(h) requires that records of the results for these 
    tests be maintained at the plant for at least 2 years and be available 
    for official review at reasonable times. FDA is not aware of any data 
    or other information that suggests that requiring all bottlers to test 
    for lead more frequently is necessary to ensure that bottled water is 
    safe and of acceptable quality.
        FDA emphasizes that water bottlers are responsible for ensuring, 
    through appropriate manufacturing techniques and sufficient quality 
    control procedures, that all bottled water products introduced or 
    delivered for introduction into interstate commerce are safe, 
    wholesome, and truthfully labeled, and that they comply with the 
    provisions of the quality standard. Therefore, should any bottler 
    encounter circumstances that would warrant testing for lead more 
    frequently than once per year, the bottler is required to do such 
    testing to ensure the safety and quality of the bottled water.
        For the reasons stated above, FDA concludes that the testing 
    requirements for contaminants in bottled water contained in the CGMP 
    regulations (part 129) are appropriate and sufficient to ensure the 
    quality and safety of bottled water products. Thus, the agency finds 
    that revision of the CGMP regulations to require more frequent testing 
    for chemical contaminants in bottled water is not necessary at this 
    time.
        6. A majority of responses from industry opposed the exemption of 
    mineral water from the lead standard for bottled water. Another comment 
    stated that the lead standard should apply to other types of bottled 
    beverages, including mineral water, soda water, and seltzer.
        Under the provisions of Sec. 103.35, the definition of ``bottled 
    water'' excludes mineral water or any type of soft drink commonly known 
    as soda water. Consequently, these types of products are exempt from 
    the provisions of the quality standard for bottled water, including the 
    allowable level for lead. However, in a proposal to establish a 
    standard of identity for bottled water (57 FR 393, January 5, 1993), 
    FDA proposed to revise the definition for ``bottled water'' in the 
    quality standard to include mineral water. Should FDA adopt that 
    proposal, the allowable level of 0.005 mg/L for lead will apply to 
    mineral water. Even if the agency does not adopt this change, because 
    of the health concerns raised by lead, the agency is likely to take 
    some action to regulate the level of lead in mineral water.
        In regard to soda water and seltzer, FDA considers these types of 
    products to be soft drinks and not bottled water. Consequently, they 
    are not covered by regulations that address bottled water. The agency's 
    reasons for considering these types of products as soft drinks are 
    fully discussed in its proposal to establish an identity standard for 
    bottled water (57 FR 393 at 395). Soft drinks are subject to regulatory 
    action, however, if they contain a level of lead that may render the 
    food injurious to health.
        7. One comment from a trade association representing public water 
    supply agencies recommended that FDA review the latest EPA analytical 
    techniques for determining lead and copper with respect to the use of 
    nitric acid digestion and incorporate this procedure as applicable.
        In accordance with FDA's responsibilities pursuant to section 410 
    of the act, FDA consulted with EPA by requesting EPA's review and 
    comment on the proposal to amend the quality standard for lead and 
    copper in bottled water. In response, EPA stated that FDA's regulatory 
    approach for lead and copper in bottled water is consistent with the 
    intent of EPA's NPDWR's for lead and copper and concurred with the 
    analytical methods that FDA cited for determining lead and copper in 
    bottled water (Ref. 4). Furthermore, in EPA Methods 200.7, 200.8, and 
    200.9, which FDA proposed to incorporate by reference, the sample 
    preparation procedures for measuring lead and copper as total 
    recoverable metals call for a nitric acid or nitric acid-hydrochloric 
    acid digestion.
    
    III. Conclusions
    
        The agency is adopting the provisions concerning lead and copper in 
    the quality standard for bottled water as proposed (58 FR 389, January 
    5, 1993). The majority of the comments that the agency received 
    supported the proposal. Furthermore, after carefully considering the 
    comments that the agency received that suggested modifications to, or 
    were opposed to, aspects of the proposal, the agency has determined 
    that no changes are warranted. Therefore, upon the effective date of 
    this rule, November 21, 1994, any bottled water that contains an amount 
    of lead or copper that exceeds the allowable levels will be misbranded 
    under section 403(h)(1) of the act unless the bottled water bears a 
    statement of substandard quality as provided by Sec. 103.35(f)(2)(ii).
        FDA has made one minor change concerning the analytical methods for 
    the determination of lead and copper cited in new Sec. 103.35(d)(3)(v). 
    The sources for these methods will be the National Technical 
    Information Services rather than EPA. This change is consistent with 
    the agency's practice of relying on readily available commercial 
    sources for incorporated materials when possible.
    
    IV. Environmental Impact
    
        The agency previously considered the environmental effects of this 
    rule, as announced in the proposed rule (58 FR 389, January 5, 1993). 
    At that time, the agency concluded that the action would not have a 
    significant impact on the human environment, and that an environmental 
    impact statement is not required. The agency's environmental assessment 
    and finding of no significant impact for the proposal were displayed at 
    the Dockets Management Branch at the time of the proposal. FDA has 
    received no new information or comments that would affect the agency's 
    previous determination that there is no significant impact on the human 
    environment, and that an environmental impact statement is not 
    required.
    
    V. Analysis of Impacts
    
        FDA has examined the impacts of the final rule under Executive 
    Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354). 
    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits 
    of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, 
    to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including 
    potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
    advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). The agency believes that 
    this final rule is consistent with the regulatory philosophy and 
    principles identified in the Executive Order. In addition, the final 
    rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by the Executive 
    Order and so is not subject to review under the Executive Order.
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze 
    regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule 
    on small entities. Because FDA has received no new information or 
    comments that would alter its tentative finding in the proposal that 
    there is no substantive economic issue, the agency certifies that the 
    final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
    number of small entities. Therefore, under the Regulatory Flexibility 
    Act, no further analysis is required.
    
    VI. References
    
        The following references have been placed on display in the Dockets 
    Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, rm. 1-23, 
    12420 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20857, and may be seen by interested 
    persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    
        1. FDA FY 90 Bottle Water Survey, 1990.
        2. FDA internal memorandum of meeting, Discussions on the 
    Analytical Methods for Determination of Lead in Bottled Water, 
    December 20, 1991.
        3. ``Twenty Questions Concerning Bottled Water,'' International 
    Bottled Water Association, 1990.
        4. James M. Conlon, Drinking Water Standards Division, EPA, 
    letter to Henry S. Kim, February 14, 1992.
    
    List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 103
    
        Beverages, Bottled water, Food grades and standards, Incorporation 
    by reference.
        Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under 
    authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 
    103 is amended as follows:
    
    PART 103--QUALITY STANDARDS FOR FOODS WITH NO IDENTITY STANDARDS
    
        1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 103 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 201, 401, 403, 409, 410, 701, 721 of the 
    Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321, 341, 343, 348, 
    349, 371, 379e).
    
        2. Section 103.35 is amended in the table in paragraph (d)(1)(i) by 
    removing the entries for ``Copper'' and ``Lead,'' by revising the 
    introductory text of paragraph (d)(3), and by adding new paragraphs 
    (d)(3)(i) and (d)(3)(v) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 103.35  Bottled water.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) * * *
        (3) Having consulted with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
    (EPA) as required by section 410 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
    Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration has determined that 
    bottled water, when a composite of analytical units of equal volume 
    from a sample is examined by the methods listed in paragraphs (d)(3)(v) 
    and (d)(3)(vi) of this section, shall not contain the following 
    chemical contaminants in excess of the concentrations specified in 
    paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (d)(3)(ii) of this section.
        (i) The allowable levels for inorganic substances are as follows:
    
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Concentration milligrams per liter
                Contaminant                       (or as specified)         
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Copper.............................  1.0                                
    Lead...............................  0.005                              
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    * * * * *
        (iii) and (iv) [Reserved]
         (v) Analyses to determine compliance with the requirements of 
    paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section shall be conducted in accordance 
    with an applicable method and applicable revisions to the methods 
    listed in paragraphs (d)(3)(v)(G) and (d)(3)(v)(H) of this section and 
    described, unless otherwise noted, in ``Methods for Chemical Analysis 
    of Water and Wastes,'' U.S. EPA Environmental Monitoring and Support 
    Laboratory, EPA-600/4-79-020, March 1983, which is incorporated by 
    reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies 
    of this publication are available from the National Technical 
    Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5825 Port Royal Rd., 
    Springfield, VA 22161, or may be examined at the Office of Plant and 
    Dairy Foods and Beverages (HFS-305), Center for Food Safety and Applied 
    Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 
    20204, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol St., 
    NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (A)-(F) [Reserved]
         (G) Copper shall be measured as total recoverable metal without 
    filtration using the following methods:
        (1) Method 220.2--Atomic absorption; furnace technique, in 
    ``Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,'' which is 
    incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51 or
        (2) Method 220.1--Atomic absorption; direct aspiration, in 
    ``Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,'' which is 
    incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. The availability of this incorporation by reference is given 
    in paragraph (d)(3)(v) of this section.
        (3) Method 200.7--entitled ``Determination of Metals and Trace 
    Elements in Water and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic 
    Emission Spectrometry,'' Revision 3.3, April 1991, U.S. EPA, 
    Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory (EMSL). The revision is 
    contained in the manual entitled ``Methods for the Determination of 
    Metals in Environmental Samples,'' Office of Research and Development, 
    Washington, DC 20460, (EPA/600/4-91/010), June 1991, which is 
    incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. Copies of this publication are available from the National 
    Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5825 Port 
    Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, or may be examined at the Office of 
    Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages (HFS-305), Center for Food Safety 
    and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., 
    Washington, DC 20204, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
    North Capitol St. NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (4) Method 200.8--entitled, ``Determination of Trace Elements in 
    Water and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' 
    Revision 4.4, April 1991, U.S. EPA, EMSL. The revision is contained in 
    the manual entitled ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in 
    Environmental Samples,'' which is incorporated by reference in 
    accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability of 
    this incorporation by reference is given in paragraph (d)(3)(v)(G)(3) 
    of this section.
        (5) Method 200.9--entitled, ``Determination of Trace Elements by 
    Stabilized Temperature Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption 
    Spectrometry,'' Revision 1.2, April 1991, U.S. EPA, EMSL. The revision 
    is contained in the manual entitled ``Methods for the Determination of 
    Metals in Environmental Samples,'' which is incorporated by reference 
    in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability 
    of this incorporation by reference is given in paragraph 
    (d)(3)(v)(G)(3) of this section.
        (H) Lead shall be measured as total recoverable metal without 
    filtration using the following methods:
        (1) Method 239.2--Atomic absorption; furnace technique, from 
    ``Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,'' which is 
    incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. The availability of this incorporation by reference is given 
    in paragraph (d)(3)(v) of this section.
        (2) Method 200.8--entitled, ``Determination of Trace Elements in 
    Water and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' 
    Revision 4.4, April 1991. The revision is contained in the manual 
    entitled ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental 
    Samples,'' June 1991, which is incorporated by reference in accordance 
    with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability of this 
    incorporation by reference is given in paragraph (d)(3)(v)(G)(3) of 
    this section.
        (3) Method 200.9--from ``Determination of Trace Elements by 
    Stabilized Temperature Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption 
    Spectrometry,'' Revision 1.2, April 1991. The revision is contained in 
    the manual entitled ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in 
    Environmental Samples,'' June 1991, which is incorporated by reference 
    in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability 
    of this incorporation by reference is given in paragraph 
    (d)(3)(v)(G)(3) of this section.
    * * * * *
    
        Dated: May 17, 1994.
     Michael R. Taylor,
     Deputy Commissioner for Policy.
    [FR Doc. 94-12666 Filed 5-24-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/21/1994
Published:
05/25/1994
Department:
Food and Drug Administration
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-12666
Dates:
Effective November 21, 1994. The Director of the Office of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of certain publications in 21 CFR 103.35(d)(3)(v), effective November 21, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: May 25, 1994, Docket No. 92N-0059
CFR: (2)
21 CFR 129.35(a)
21 CFR 103.35