Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Chapter 40-7 - FOOD DIVISION REGULATIONS
Subject 40-7-6 - ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED WATER AND WATER VENDING MACHINES
Rule 40-7-6-.10 - Labeling Requirements

(a) Mineral water may be labeled "Mineral Water". Bottled water to which minerals are added shall be labeled so as to disclose that minerals are added, and may not be labeled "Natural Mineral Water" or "Mineral Water" unqualified.

(b) Spring water may be labeled "Spring Water" or "Natural Spring Water".

(c) Water containing carbon dioxide that emerges from the source and is bottled directly with its entrapped gas or from which the gas mechanically separated and later reintroduced at a level not higher than naturally occurring in the water may bear on its label the words "Naturally Sparkling".

(d) Bottled water which contains carbon dioxide other than that naturally occurring in the source of the product shall be labeled with the words "Carbonated", "Carbonation Added", or "Sparkling" when the carbonation is obtained from a natural or manufactured source.

(e) Well water may be labeled "Well Water", or "Natural Well Water".

(f) Artesian water may be labeled "Artesian Water", or "Natural Artesian Water".

(g) Purified Water shall be labeled "Purified Water", and the method of preparation shall be stated on the label, except that purified water produced by distillation may be labeled as "Distilled Water".

(h) Drinking water may be labeled "Drinking Water".

(i) Any bottler, distributor or vendor of bottled water whose corporate name, brand name or trademark contains the words "Spring", "Well", "Artesian", "Mineral", "Natural", or any derivative of those words shall label each bottle with the type of bottled water as defined in Rule 40-7-6-.01 in typeface at least equal to the size of the typeface of the corporate name, brand name, or trademark, if the type of bottled water is different from the type of stated or implied in the corporate name, brand name or trademark.

(j) The use of the word, "Spring", or any derivative thereof, other than in a trademark, trade name, or company name to describe water that is not spring water as defined herein shall be prohibited. Any water which meets the definition of "spring water" as defined herein may be labeled, sold, advertised, and otherwise represented as "springwater", or "natural spring water", such "spring water" collected through a borehole as provided by Rule 40-7-6-.01(14) shall not require any disclaimer in connection with such labeling, sale, advertisement, or representation or require such water to be additionally identified as any other type of water. Other descriptive words or terms intended to distinguish between "spring water" which flows naturally to the surface of the earth and "spring water" collected at the spring through a borehole shall not be allowed.

(k) A product meeting more than one definition as stated in Rule 40-7-6-.01 may be identified by any of the applicable product types defined in said rule except where otherwise specifically prohibited.

(l) Supplemental printed information and graphics concerning recognized uses of the water may appear on the label, but shall not imply properties of the product or preparation methods which are not factual. Point of sale materials, promotional brochures and the like, all considered label extensions, shall comply with all applicable label requirements.

(m) No health claims are permitted.

(n) The term, "spring" or "spring water" shall not be used as brand names on labels, unless the water source meets the definition of Rule 40-7-6-.01(14). The use of the word, "spring" to describe water that is not spring water as defined herein shall be prohibited (such as, but not limited to, "Spring Fresh", "Spring Brand," and "Spring Type").