Sofia Martinez
Fiji Water has been at the centre of a lawsuit filed by the Plastic Pollution Coalition, alleging that the company has misled consumers about the presence of microplastics in its products. The lawsuit, filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court, claims that FIJI Water contains microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA), which are harmful to human health. This contradicts the company's marketing claims of being natural artisan water that is protected from external elements and untouched. The presence of microplastics in bottled water has raised concerns about potential health risks, with studies indicating that these tiny plastic particles can infiltrate our bodies and lead to various adverse effects. While FIJI Water disputes these allegations, the lawsuit highlights the growing concerns about plastic pollution in the bottled water industry and the potential for stricter regulations and more transparent disclosure of contaminants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presence of microplastics | Yes |
| Presence of BPA | Yes |
| pH | 7.7 |
| Bottled at the source | Yes |
| Bottled in high-grade PET bottles | Yes |
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$21.98
What You'll Learn
Bottled water contains microplastics
The presence of microplastics in bottled water has raised concerns about potential health risks. Studies indicate that microplastics can infiltrate our bodies, leading to adverse effects such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota imbalances. The Plastic Pollution Coalition, which filed the lawsuit, aims to halt deceptive marketing practices and protect consumers from unknowingly ingesting harmful substances.
While FIJI Water disputes these allegations, claiming their water is natural and sourced from nature, the lawsuit highlights the broader issue of plastic pollution in supposedly natural products. The case could set a precedent for stricter regulations on marketing and more robust standards for disclosing contaminants like microplastics and BPA.
The production and use of plastics have surged since the 1950s due to their lightweight, durable, and economical nature. Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic less than five millimeters in diameter, can leach into bottled water during manufacturing or as plastic breaks down. This has led to high levels of microplastic contamination in bottled water, with similar lawsuits being filed against other bottled water companies.
It is important for consumers to stay informed and advocate for stricter regulations to reduce the reliance on single-use plastics and explore sustainable alternatives.
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Fiji Water's plastic bottles are made from PET
Fiji Water has been the subject of a lawsuit claiming that the company has misled consumers about its product's purity and environmental impact. The lawsuit specifically highlights the presence of microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA) in the water, which can have serious health impacts.
Fiji Water, however, has stated that their bottles are made from high-grade PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, which is approved by the US FDA as safe for contact with food and beverages. PET plastic is also fully recyclable and can be transformed into new products, such as food and beverage packaging, apparel, and automotive parts. Fiji Water uses PET bottles as they are optimal for protecting the quality of the water, ensuring product safety, and minimising environmental impact due to their lightweight nature and lower emission during transport.
The use of PET bottles by Fiji Water is in line with their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. The company has invested significantly in energy efficiency initiatives and is the first in Fiji to use microturbine energy generation. Additionally, they produce the majority of their packaging, including bottles and caps, on-site to minimise emissions from transporting raw materials.
While the presence of microplastics in bottled water is a growing concern, it is important to note that Fiji Water's PET bottles are not the main contributor to this issue. The lawsuit against Fiji Water focuses on the company's marketing practices and the presence of microplastics and BPA in the water, rather than the specific type of plastic used for bottling.
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False advertising and deceptive marketing
False and deceptive marketing claims have been levelled against FIJI Water by the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a project of the Earth Island Institute. The lawsuit, filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court, accuses FIJI Water of misleading consumers about the purity and environmental impact of its product.
FIJI Water is marketed as "natural artisan water", untouched, and protected from external elements. However, independent tests have found the presence of microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA) in the water. These substances are linked to serious health issues, including fertility issues, sexual dysfunction, heart attacks, strokes, neurodegenerative disorders, hormonal disruptions, and diseases such as cancer. The lawsuit argues that the presence of these contaminants contradicts FIJI Water's marketing claims and could potentially expose consumers to health risks.
In addition to the concerns about the water itself, the lawsuit also alleges that FIJI Water has engaged in deceptive marketing practices regarding its plastic packaging. FIJI Water claims to have made a "substantial step in reducing [its] plastic waste" by replacing "nearly 70% of [their] bottled volume in the US with recycled material", with some packaging claiming "100% Recycled Plastic". However, the complaint alleges that most plastic items collected for recycling are not actually recycled but are instead sent to landfills, incinerators, or shipped overseas, perpetuating plastic pollution. The lawsuit accuses FIJI Water of perpetuating misleading industry narratives around plastic recycling and portraying its product as healthy, safe, and sustainable when it contributes to environmental injustices.
FIJI Water has denied the allegations, stating that their water is natural and sourced from nature. They also assert that their bottles are made from high-grade PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, which is approved by the US FDA as safe for food and beverage contact and is fully recyclable. FIJI Water also highlights their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint through various initiatives, such as investing in energy efficiency and using microturbine energy generation.
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Plastic recycling and landfill issues
The recycling of plastic has been a subject of controversy, with investigations revealing that the oil and gas industry has long been aware of the limitations of plastic recycling but continued to promote it to sell more plastic. Despite public awareness and efforts to increase recycling, the recycling rates for plastic remain low. For example, while 52% of recycling facilities in the US accept plastic cups and containers, less than 5% of this plastic is actually repurposed, with the rest ending up in landfills. This discrepancy between public perception and the reality of plastic recycling has led to a sense of betrayal and mistrust among the public.
The low recycling rates and the persistence of plastic in the environment contribute to the growing problem of microplastics. Microplastics are small plastic particles that can be released during the degradation of plastic waste in landfills or through the breakdown of larger plastic items in the environment. These microplastics have been found in marine species, drinking water, and plant leaves, indicating widespread contamination. The presence of microplastics in the environment has raised concerns about their potential impact on human health, with research suggesting possible links to increased cancer rates, reproductive issues, and developmental impairments.
In addition to recycling challenges, improper waste management practices, such as open burning of plastic waste, pose significant health risks. Burning plastic releases toxic chemicals, including dioxins, which can have severe environmental and health consequences. The impact of plastic waste is particularly pronounced in countries like Fiji, which has limited waste management infrastructure. Fiji's plastic waste is often burned, buried, or tossed into the environment, contributing to pollution and the spread of plastic debris.
To address plastic recycling and landfill issues, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes reducing plastic consumption, improving product design to enhance recyclability, developing more efficient recycling technologies, and implementing proper waste management practices that minimize the negative impacts on the environment and human health. Additionally, increasing public awareness about the limitations of plastic recycling and the potential risks associated with plastic waste is crucial. By addressing these issues, we can work towards reducing the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
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Health impacts of microplastics
Microplastics are a major emerging pollutant of concern as the chemical compounds within them can pose a threat to human health. They have been detected throughout the human body, including in blood, lung, vascular, colon, liver, placental, penile, testis, and amniotic fluid samples. They have also been found in breast milk, sputum, saliva, semen, and stool samples.
The presence of microplastics in the human body can potentially lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory disorders like lung cancer, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, neurological symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness, inflammatory bowel disease, and even disturbances in gut microbiota. In vitro studies have shown that nano- and microplastics induce apoptosis and have cytotoxic effects, with cell damage influenced by particle characteristics like type, size, and charge.
A review of 2,800 studies concluded that exposure to microplastics is suspected to harm the reproductive, digestive, and respiratory systems. While most of the research to date has been conducted on animals, it is suspected that the conclusions also apply to humans. This is supported by human studies that evaluated outcomes related to infant birth weight and growth, as well as gestational age, and lung function, injury, or inflammation.
In addition to the health impacts of microplastics, the burning of plastic waste is also a significant concern. Open burning of plastics releases dioxins that stay in the environment forever and are linked to cancers, as well as reproductive and developmental impairments.
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Frequently asked questions
Fiji Water bottles are made from high-grade PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, which is approved by the US FDA as safe for contact with food and beverages. However, there has been a lawsuit against Fiji Water claiming that their products contain microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA). Fiji Water has denied these claims.
PET plastic is designated with the #1 code at the bottom of the Fiji Water bottle. It is fully recyclable and can be transformed into new products like food and beverage packages, apparel, carpet, automotive parts, and construction materials.
While there is no evidence specifically about the water in Fiji, a study found microplastics in the flesh of almost every marine species tested in the country.
