Man Raises Concerns Over Copper Sulphate in Tata’s Bottled Water, Doctor Tells If It’s Safe To Drink Or Not – News18

Last Updated:November 27, 2024, 2:05 PM IST

As per a report by WHO, “Although copper can give rise to taste, it should be acceptable at the health-based guideline value of 2 mg/l.”

A man checked the label of the bottled water he was served in Delhi and raised concerns over one of its ingredients. Deedy Das, who lives in the United States but was in India at the time, shared a picture of Tata’s bottle that lists “copper sulphate” as one of its ingredients. While many said that the copper content in the water fell within the safe limits set by WHO, Das emphasised that the label lists “copper sulphate, and not copper”.

Is Tata’s bottled water safe to drink? To find out, we consulted a doctor. But before sharing his insights, let us take you through what Das has posted.

What did Das post on social media?

Das shared a picture of the Tata bottle and wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Was just served Copper Sulphate water ‘with the goodness of copper’ in Delhi.”

He added, “Turns out it’s extremely toxic and terrible for you (even though it’s 0.0004%). The only website that says otherwise is Tata Copper.”

“Why not just have plain water? What the hell?” he further stressed.

Internet disagrees with Das

Many users added context to Das’s post. They wrote, “Tata Copper Water lists copper sulfate at 0.0004%, which is a safe, trace amount as per WHO guidelines. It provides essential copper for health and is not toxic at this level. The claim that it’s harmful is incorrect.”

A WHO report on copper in water says, “Staining of sanitary ware and laundry may occur at copper concentrations above 1 mg/l. At levels above 5 mg/l, copper also imparts a colour and an undesirable bitter taste to water. Although copper can give rise to taste, it should be acceptable at the health-based guideline value of 2 mg/l.”

What did the doctor say?

News18.com reached out to Dr Vivek Pandey, an RTI activist, for expert insights. He confirmed that Tata’s bottled water is safe for consumption.

Dr Pandey explained, “Copper sulfate is a chemical sometimes added to water in tiny amounts, like 0.00041%, to control algae growth. At this small level, it is safe to drink and follows the safety guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).”

“Copper is also a necessary nutrient for the body, helping with iron use and enzyme functions,” he stressed.

Dr Pandey further said, “However, too much copper can cause stomach problems like nausea. The WHO allows up to 2 mg/L of copper in drinking water, which is much more than the amount in Tata’s bottled water. This means the level in the bottled water is safe. But people with rare health conditions, like Wilson’s disease, should be cautious as their bodies cannot process copper properly.”