In recent years, the Ghanaian bottled water industry has witnessed rapid growth. Supermarket shelves and roadside vendors alike are filled with brands boasting labels such as “Mineral Water,” “Alkaline Water,” and “Purified Water.”

However, behind these attractive marketing terms lies a growing concern: many of the so-called “mineral waters” on the market are, in fact, nothing more than purified or reverse osmosis (RO) water—devoid of natural minerals and often misrepresented to unsuspecting consumers.

Understanding the Difference: Pure Water vs. Mineral Water

Pure (or Purified) Water refers to water that has undergone extensive filtration or reverse osmosis to remove impurities, salts, and other dissolved substances. This process produces clean, safe drinking water, but it also strips away essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The end product is essentially demineralized water—chemically clean but not “mineral water” in the true sense.

Mineral Water, on the other hand, is naturally sourced from underground reservoirs or springs. It contains dissolved minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to human health. Genuine mineral water does not undergo chemical treatment or reverse osmosis. Its unique mineral composition is what gives it its distinct taste and health benefits, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international food standards bodies.

The Misuse of “Mineral Water” Labels

In Ghana, a worrying trend has emerged where many companies market purified or reverse osmosis water as “mineral water.” This practice is misleading and deceptive. Reverse osmosis systems, while excellent for purifying water, remove minerals rather than preserve or add them. A few companies may artificially reintroduce minerals after purification, but this does not make the product naturally mineral water.

These misleading claims not only deceive consumers but also undermine trust in the water industry. Moreover, some brands are promoting their products as “alkaline water”—suggesting that a high pH automatically means the water is healthier. While a balanced pH level in drinking water is important, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that “alkaline water” provides superior health benefits for the general population.

The Role of Regulatory Bodies

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) are the key institutions mandated to regulate and certify bottled water products in Ghana. It is their responsibility to ensure that companies comply with labeling and safety standards, and that the public is not misled through false advertising.

The GSA, for instance, has clear standards—GS 175-1:2013—which define and differentiate between packaged natural mineral water and packaged drinking water. Any company labeling purified water as mineral water without meeting these criteria is in violation of national standards.

Similarly, the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) must take a more proactive role in educating the public. Many Ghanaians are unaware of the differences between pure, mineral, and alkaline water. Public awareness campaigns—through media, schools, and community outreach—can empower consumers to make informed choices and demand transparency from producers.

Protecting the Consumer and Restoring Industry Integrity

Access to clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. The increasing commercialization of misleading water brands undermines consumer confidence and public health. It is imperative that:

GSA and FDA intensify inspections and enforce labeling standards strictly.

Offending companies face sanctions for false advertising or misrepresentation.

CPA launches educational initiatives to teach consumers how to read and understand bottled water labels.

Media outlets continue to highlight these issues to keep public attention on the integrity of the water industry.

Conclusion

Ghanaians deserve honesty, safety, and transparency from the companies that provide their drinking water. The misuse of the term “mineral water” must end, and regulatory agencies must act decisively to protect public health and restore confidence in the industry.