why does bottled mineral water that has trickled through mountains for century's have a use by date?

Answer 1

It will eventually become contaminated after it is put in a plastic bottle.
Bacteria will also grow in it eventually.

Answer 2

I have heard it is the bottle that is the problem, the plastic dissolves a little bit and the water is polluted, but any way if you keep it in there for a couple of years it will stagnate, the original stuff trickles happily through the mountains etc, it is just us silly humans that have to put everything in bottles.

Answer 3

The water doesn't expire- the plastic container does.
From http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/199905/water.asp :

Let's assume your store-bought water meets all the safety standards. What about the bottle? Because containers that sit for weeks or months at room temperature are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, a bottle that met federal safety standards when it left the plant might have unsafe bacteria levels by the time you buy it. And because manufacturers aren't required to put expiration dates on bottles, there's no telling how long they've spent on a loading dock or on store shelves. (Bacteria also thrive on the wet, warm rim of an unrefrigerated bottle, so avoid letting a bottle sit around for too long.) But even more troubling is what may be leaching from the plastic containers. Scientists at the FDA found traces of bisphenol A-an endocrine disruptor that can alter the reproductive development of animals-after 39 weeks in water held at room temperature in large polycarbonate containers (like that carboy atop your office water cooler).

Answer 4

XLISAX is right...This is the law.
When you bottle the water (or milk, juice, soda, etc.) the law tell you to test the quality (bacteria, metals, etc) for consumption immediatly and after some time and to write your quaranty. The mountains don't sell the water and don't need to write a quaranty. The seller have to do that.

Answer 5

Bottled water is stored in a plastic bottle which eventually does something to it.

Bottles water is such a con, it's not as controlled as the water (here in the uk) we have running from our taps (for which we pay!).

Answer 6

The FDA requires all consumable products have a consumption date. The breaking down of the plastic has nothing to do with it.

Answer 7

When water is kept in plastic too long, the plastic begins to break down, getting into the water.

Answer 8

Our government has gone completely crazy over the date. In most cases it doesn't mean anything,the one I throw at my daughter is apple juice . After a time it will cider ,that is the sugar in it will turn to alcohol,then is it sets a few more years it will turn into vinegar . any of these ,granted they have changed but none of them will harm u.

Answer 9

Water is incredibly volatile stuff. It's unsafe to keep it in a container for long periods of time, and if it's rattled or agitated it can sometimes explode with very little external input. On top of this, the process of manufacture is very diff...... oh hang on. I'm talking about nitroglycerin again arn't I? You know I keep doing that, I don't know where to put my face.

It does explain why my toilet keeps detonating.

Answer 10

Because its the law.. Everythin that is sold that we eat or drink has to have a shelf life date.. Otherwise we would be drinkin water thats like years old.... Not patically good for you then is it... lol