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A brand of bottled water sold by Whole Foods and Amazon contains a "concerning" level of arsenic. According to Consumer Reports, it is at least three times higher than other brands tested. The publications said that these levels exceed the legal limits for tap water in some states. However, it still falls below federal limit for bottled water.
Starkey Spring Water is the water in question. Tests by Consumer Reports found that it had arsenic levels ranging from 9.49 to 9.56 parts per billion (ppb). The federal limit is 10 ppb.
This brand of bottled water took over sodas as the number one drink sold in the U.S in 2016. Consumers turns to bottled waters more because it is healthier than other bottled drinks and does not contain sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. It is also safer than tap water.
This isn't the first time Starkey Spring Water has been found to have high levels. Back in 2016 and 2017, they were two levels of the legal federal limit. The water ended up being recalled by the Food and Drug Administration.
"Being fully compliant with FDA's allowable levels for arsenic is a claim that rings hollow when you consider it's an outdated standard that is inferior to tap water in certain states," Brian Ronholm, Consumer Report's director of food policy and former head of the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, told the publication.
Whole Foods said Starkey Spring Water meets FDA standards for heavy metals.
"Beyond the required annual testing by an FDA certified lab, we have an accredited third-party lab test every production run of water before it is sold," a Whole Foods Market spokesperson said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch.
So consumers, be careful! Maybe choose another brand.
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