Comparing the Label and Real Content of the Local Bottled Drinking Water Manufactured in Benghazi with Libyan Specifications for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods and Bottled Drinking Water

Abstract

For consumers, the composition of the drinking water is indicated on a label attached to the water bottle. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the labeling of locally bottled drinking water comparing with the Libyan specifications for food and water labels. Physical and basic inorganic parameters were evaluated for six randomly selected samples from Benghazi, Libya. The results confirmed that the specific analysis complies with the water standards indicated on the bottle labels, proving the reliability of the labels within the standards but the values on the water bottles still differed from the real values detected in the laboratory. Only one sample (F) record a higher value of potassium comparing to the Libyan standards for drinking water, as it recorded 14 ppm, while the upper limit allowed was 12 ppm. In fact, bottled water quality control has become necessary, with the aim of having correct information on the label to reliably inform consumers and ensure human health.