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Pure 100% is bottled artesian water and is what it says it is. Sourced via a pipe line from an aquifer deep under the Canterbury Plains (New Zealand) this is as pure as water gets. This superb water starts out as rain and snow falling on the Souther Alps which over time gradually soaks through the stoney sub-strakes of the Canterbury Plains, under-going a natural filtering process as it flows slowly deeper and closer to the city of Christchurch from where it is sourced.

We can supply in plastic bottles of various sizes from 350ml to 750ml.

Enjoy it! There's none better.

Paul Larkin,
Marine Agents NZ Ltd
awboats@ihug.co.nz

Why so serious? – Scott Fleckenstein, on September 17, 2008 15:42

Addie,
It is total BS that they will not disclose their source. If it is true spring water, then it has to name the source. This is a part of the FDA's truth in labeling initiative. Even PEPSI with its Aquafina brand has now disclosed the sources of its purified water. You were fed a whole lot of marketing fluff. You need to look for NSF certified facilities and bottled water products. You can find them at www.NSF.org

Teresa,
All the information you have provided about water on this site has been most helpful. I have learned more from your comments than I have been able to obtain from Co.(s) that bottle the water.
Thanks, Magus

Hello Magus!

Thank you for the question! This one is a little more difficult to answer due to variations in water sources. More minerals present in the water source equate to greater the variation in the pH balance. Also, when you consider the addition of sugars or fruit juices (think spritzers) there seems to be an even wider variant.

Pure water ranks 7 on the pH scale. The Whole Foods Spring Water ranges from 6.5 to 7.4. We obtain water for this product regionally, from six different springs. It seems like water from the south and west coast tends to be above the 7 mark, and that on the east coast and north regions tends to be just below 7.

The 365 Electrolyte Water is slightly basic. This product has minerals intentionally added to its formulation. The pH of this product is approximately 6.5.

Other waters/pH levels of interest:
365 Distilled Water has a pH of approximately 7
365 Italian Still Mineral Water has an approximate pH of 7.6
365 Italian Sparkling Mineral Water has an approximate pH of 5.2
365 Tonic Water ranges from 2.4-2.6
365 Club soda ranges from 6.2-7.0

I hope this information proves helpful in your quest for knowledge of Whole Foods Market Private Label products.

Take care,

Teresa

Hello Addie,

I am with the Private Label division of Whole Foods Market.

We can not disclose our manufacturer for this product, as it would be a breach in our contract. What I can say, is that our manufacturer is one of the best in the business.

So far as water purity, we offer many different types of water under our 365 Private Label. One of our most widely known is our 365 Spring Water. This water utilizes Absolute Filtration, a filtration method that the bottled water industry recognizes as an indicator of water purity. An Absolute-rated filter removes 100% of all particles of a given size. Filters are usually rated in microns, according to the size of particles that a filter will remove. A micron is one thousandth of a millimeter. A 1 micron Absolute filter will remove 100% of all particles that are 1 micron (or larger) in size. Many spring waters are produced using 1 micron absolute filters. The manufacturer who produces our water uses 0.1 micron absolute filters. This unique, advanced absolute filtration technology effectively removes 100% of all particles 10 times smaller than the 1 micron industry standard for filtration. So, in answer to this question, we use a filter ten times smaller than an absolute 1 micron filter, and to our knowledge, no other bottler in the United States filters to this level of purity.

365 Italian Still Water comes from springs in Italy. It is not filtered since the geology of the spring guarantees that the mineral water running through uncontaminated rocks will clean the water. These rocks represent a natural filter which is more effective than a mechanic filtration system. Also, the water enriches itself with mineral salts, which are very important for the human body.

365 Electrolyte Enhanced Water uses a municipal water source which is then filtered using reverse osmosis. This process removes all chemicals and minerals.

365 Distilled water uses Municipal City water that is run through a steam distiller where the water is boiled. Vapor from the boiling water is condensed, leaving the impurities behind. These impurities are eventually sent to the drain to keep our distiller clean and efficient. We then store the final distilled water in a special stainless steel tank. When we start to bottle the water, it is removed from the tank and passed through an absolute micron filter, ozonated, and then bottled. All of this is done in a clean environment. The micron filters ensure that there are no particles in the water larger than 1 micron. (A human hair is about 200 microns). We use ozone gas as a disinfectant. Ozone is an unstable, colorless gas that is a powerful oxidizer and potent germicide. Ozone has a much higher potential than other disinfectants and is some 3000 times faster than chlorine at killing bacteria. Ozone can be used to remove iron, manganese, color, taste/orders, and organics from water. Ozone leaves no taste or odor because it decomposes after a few minutes into simple oxygen. This entire process meets with the strict requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration and the International Bottled Water Association.

As you can see, there are many types of water to choose from. It is really up to the end consumer to decide which water they prefer.

Take care, and keep hydrated!

--Teresa

Hello Ben, thanks for the add-on question!

The types of containers we use at Whole Foods Market in our bottled water vary depending on the product.

Some of our products are packaged in glass, some use clear PET and a few are packaged in a plastic that looks frosted called HDPE.

The leaching question is a difficult one to answer because the jury is still out on this issue. I can give you the most up to date opinions about the various packaging methods we use for our water.

Glass is considered the most stable and reusable of the containers. Glass containers can be reused a number of times without fear of leaching or possible ill effect.

PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic is considered the safest plastic. Containers made from PET are not intended to be used multiple times (refilled) or stored for long periods. For individuals looking for a reusable container, there are many good ones on the market.

HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is the same type of plastic used in milk jugs. Whole Foods Market offers a gallon water jug made from this material. As with PET, HDPE is not intended for multiple uses and should not be stored for long periods of time.

Though there is no health risk if these products stored in either PET or HDPE are used as recommended above, the water inside can taste plastic like if stored in heat for several months.

My personal motto is "when in doubt, toss it out!" If your water smells like plastic, you should probably dump it.

Take care, and Happy 4th of July!

Wow! Thanks Teresa, I'm so pleased people from Whole Foods are here!

Can I ask about the bottles themselves? What kind of plastics do you use, and what issues do you consider to ensure contaminants don't enter the water from the plastic in the bottles and containers?

This issue has been discussed a lot in the media, recently.

Thanks,
Ben

That's so cool. – Scott Fleckenstein, on July 02, 2008 20:26

Finally! A detailed answer with no B.S. and no active selling. Thanks :)

Hello Addie,

I am with the Private Label division of Whole Foods Market.

We can not disclose our manufacturer for this product, as it would be a breach in our contract. What I can say, is that our manufacturer is one of the best in the business.

So far as water purity, we offer many different types of water under our 365 Private Label. One of our most widely known is our 365 Spring Water. This water utilizes Absolute Filtration, a filtration method that the bottled water industry recognizes as an indicator of water purity. An Absolute-rated filter removes 100% of all particles of a given size. Filters are usually rated in microns, according to the size of particles that a filter will remove. A micron is one thousandth of a millimeter. A 1 micron Absolute filter will remove 100% of all particles that are 1 micron (or larger) in size. Many spring waters are produced using 1 micron absolute filters. The manufacturer who produces our water uses 0.1 micron absolute filters. This unique, advanced absolute filtration technology effectively removes 100% of all particles 10 times smaller than the 1 micron industry standard for filtration. So, in answer to this question, we use a filter ten times smaller than an absolute 1 micron filter, and to our knowledge, no other bottler in the United States filters to this level of purity.

365 Italian Still Water comes from springs in Italy. It is not filtered since the geology of the spring guarantees that the mineral water running through uncontaminated rocks will clean the water. These rocks represent a natural filter which is more effective than a mechanic filtration system. Also, the water enriches itself with mineral salts, which are very important for the human body.

365 Electrolyte Enhanced Water uses a municipal water source which is then filtered using reverse osmosis. This process removes all chemicals and minerals.

365 Distilled water uses Municipal City water that is run through a steam distiller where the water is boiled. Vapor from the boiling water is condensed, leaving the impurities behind. These impurities are eventually sent to the drain to keep our distiller clean and efficient. We then store the final distilled water in a special stainless steel tank. When we start to bottle the water, it is removed from the tank and passed through an absolute micron filter, ozonated, and then bottled. All of this is done in a clean environment. The micron filters ensure that there are no particles in the water larger than 1 micron. (A human hair is about 200 microns). We use ozone gas as a disinfectant. Ozone is an unstable, colorless gas that is a powerful oxidizer and potent germicide. Ozone has a much higher potential than other disinfectants and is some 3000 times faster than chlorine at killing bacteria. Ozone can be used to remove iron, manganese, color, taste/orders, and organics from water. Ozone leaves no taste or odor because it decomposes after a few minutes into simple oxygen. This entire process meets with the strict requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration and the International Bottled Water Association.

As you can see, there are many types of water to choose from. It is really up to the end consumer to decide which water they prefer.

Take care, and keep hydrated!

--Teresa

Hello Sarah!

The difference in pricing on these items is due to the difference in packaging materials. The PET (clear) plastic is more expensive to produce than the HDPE (frosted) plastic. There is a slight storage benefit when using PET plastic. For our customers that buy several gallons at a time, the PET gallon is the ideal product. For our other guests that buy water for immediate consumption, and want a great product at a value price, the HDPE gallon is the preferred item.

Thanks for the question!

Hey Lewis, I am a Team Member of the Private Label Guest Services Team at Whole Foods Market.

The locations of the springs are as follow: Benton, TN; Olancha, CA; Moultoborough, NH; Shasta, CA and Salem, SC.

Hope that satisfies your thirst and your curiosity! Have a good one!

Wow! What a nice compliment. Our Basic Knife Skills class is such a pleasure to teach...mainly because we get such great students! We'll be having another "Basic Knife Skills" class in June here at the Bowery and a "Knife Skills For Carnivores" in July where students can quarter a chicken, fillet a fish and stuff a loin!

For a list of all of our summer classes, see the link below. And if there are any budding chefs in the family, definitely have them check out our kids camp this summer.

Take care Thor and hope to see you at The Center!

Christine Carroll
Culinary Center Director
Whole Foods Market Bowery
212.420.1320 x245

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/store...

Hello Thor,

My name is Teresa, and I am an employee of Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas.

Many of our stores have culinary centers and store level workshops weekly. I have included a link to a Whole Foods Market store in California that has many classes offered this month and next. I hope you find this link useful in your quest to learn! We also have free events and tastings every week in our stores.

Have a great memorial weekend!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/store...