With increasing awareness about genetically modified organisms, hormonel injection and the dangers of gluten products for people with celiac disease, food labelling and production has begun producing poor solutions to people’s health fears.
The fears began with bisephenol A; an industrial chemical in certain plastics consciousness.
BPA is a synthetic compound that is found in water bottles, food cans, food containers, and sometimes in baby bottles.
Research reveals that the chemical structure of BPA is similar to that of hormone estrogen, which is harmful because it could affect the function of your body if it combines with estrogen receptors.
The use of BPA has been restricted in certain parts of the world, including European countries, Canada, China and Malaysia, especially for baby and toddler products. Nowadays, finding “BPA-free” products is quite common, especially on products like reusable water bottles.
After BPA-free products became more popular with the public, additional harmful health cautions like gluten-free, kosher, organic, GMO-free and hormone-free products started to become more important to public health. However, product labelling today is taken to a whole new level.
Unfortunately, food labelling industries are manipulating the lack of knowledge that some people have about these products, and taking advantage of consumers’ being health conscious.
For example, now when you go to buy a water bottle from the grocery store, you find that the options are endless.
Aside from being able to choose from over 400 water bottle brands, you can now narrow down your options by choosing “premium water,” which, according to the label, is not only free of GMOs, but it is also certified kosher, organic and gluten free.
Most people probably already know that waterdoesn’t contain any of those properties, but the food labelling industry seems to believe in being thorough anyway.
By labelling water as “premium”, consumers are more likely to pay more for the seemingly “higher end” product.
From an economic perspective, consumers are more likely to find happiness in from a product’s characteristics and descriptions, not necessarily in the product itself.
For example, when making an electronic purchase, most consumers are likely to purchase the most recognizable brand in the market (Apple vs. Microsoft).
In these respects, functionality and the product itself is not the first consideration for most people.
Labelling companies are also being deceitful with their product tracking information. Most water brands that claim to be “mountain glacier” or “natural spring” sourced, most likely come from the same place your tap water at home comes from.
Unfortunately, food labelling industries are manipulating the lack of knowledge that some people have about these products, and taking advantage of consumers’ being health conscious.
Fiji Water, Nestle Pure Life, Happy Water, and my personal favourite, Smart Water have been fooling consumers with their condescending branding and labelling.
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Tomi Milos
Features Editor
So, 2014 is almost two months old and you’ve managed to stick to your new year’s resolutions for the most part. You’ve been a regular at The Pulse (where you’ve spent more time admiring others’ physique than improving your own), you’ve cut down on the fast food (other than that one time you wandered into McDonalds in a drunken stupor), and you’ve stopped using Snapchat long enough to finish your readings. But are you hydrating properly?
By now, the 8 cups of water per day rule has become ingrained in our consciousness. But recent findings suggest that merely 8 may not be enough. Instead, men should be drinking 13 cups (3 litres) per day, while women should be consuming 9 cups (2.2 litres). Drinking the prescribed amount holds a plethora of health benefits. Water assists the digestive system, keeps your skin clear by flushing out toxins, eases metabolization, and keeps energy levels up.
While it may seem inconsequential, the vessel you hold your water in it can render the rewards you reap for quenching your thirst invalid. That plastic Nestle bottle you’ve been reusing? Better off in the recycling bin. Same with that so-called “BPA free” one you bought under the impression that it was a step up from the ones that got recalled in 2008.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, a chemical that’s been linked to cancer and heart disease. The problem with the bottles that tout the fact that they’re “BPA free” is that no industry regulations exist for companies to meet before they can slap the label on their products.
Unlined aluminum bottles like those made by Kleen Kanteen may be truly BPA free and easily cleanable, but they leave your H20 with a distinctly metallic taste that’s far from refreshing.
A safe alternative that combines quality craftsmanship and portability is the glass bottle.
Although they vastly outstrip their plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum cousins, glass bottles offer both superior taste and aesthetic design.
Acknowledging that glass isn’t the most durable of materials even for a sure-handed individual let alone a klutz, most manufacturers have wised up and added protective silicone cases that only add to the eye-catching appeal of their products. As a bonus, glass is dishwasher-approved and allows you to store other liquids like juice or milk in them without fear that their odour will linger long after they’ve been consumed (shoutout to that Kanye tweet: “Room service uuuuugh! I hate when I order fruit and I can taste the other food they cut with the same knife.”)
Without further ado, here are five of our favourites:
bkr
Size: 500ml or 1L
Made in: San Francisco
Removable sleeve: Yes
Different colours: Almost too many
Where to buy: mybkr.com, polkadotpond.ca, tweedandhickory.com, Holt Renfrew (in store)
A short and squat bottle with an intentionally small mouth opening adorned by a solid carrying hook. The fact that it fits in your hand perfectly and that Emmy Rossum can regularly be seen toting one is all the reassurance you need.
Takeya Modern Glass Water Bottle
Size: 16oz or 18oz
Made in: glass in Japan, silicone and cap in China
Different colours: Black Mist, Ice Green, Ice Pink, Ice Blue, Natural
Removable sleeve: Yes, but discouraged by company
Where to buy: amazon.ca, shop.terra20.com
These beautiful bottles share Apple’s clean sense of minimalism and are just a joy to look at. Disclaimer: We wouldn’t condone placing one next to your Macbook because they’re as tall and slim as a runway model and liable to get knocked over. The cap is easy to twist off.
Bamboo Bottle
Size: 17oz (500ml)
Made in:
Different colours: no
Removable sleeve: yes
Where to buy: jesscrunchyshop.com, amazon.com, shop.gessato.com
True to its name, the Bamboo bottle is encased in a sleeve made of a panda’s favourite snack. The green accents may not be to everyone’s tastes, but they really let the world know you’re making an environmentally conscious decision. The bevy of parts may not be fun to clean, but that’s the price you have to pay for not contributing to landfills.
Camelbak eddy Glass
Size: 24oz (700ml)
Made in: France and China
Different colours: Charcoal, Purple, Aqua, Lime
Removable sleeve: yes
Where to buy: amazon.ca, ogc.ca
Camelbak’s offering is probably the most gym-friendly of the bunch. The bottle’s valve and straw combo means no spillage and no tipping back your head to drink. Available in four colours, the eddy is an easy choice for the more active person.
