Bottled water industry applauds DGA recognition of water in a healthy diet

International Bottled Water Association | News Release | January 8, 2026

Alexandria, VA - In a win for healthy hydration, the newly released 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) encourages people to drink water. Members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) applaud the Administration's acknowledgement of the vital role that water plays in helping to keep Americans healthy.

Updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the DGAs provide evidence-based recommendations on what people should eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, promote health, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Consistent with prior editions, the new DGAs continue to underscore water's essential role in healthy hydration, stating: "Hydration is a key factor in overall health. Choose water (still or sparkling) and unsweetened beverages."

"The Dietary Guidelines are one of the most influential public health tools in the country," says IBWA Vice President of Government Relations Jeremy Pollack. "The clear emphasis on water in the new Guidelines reinforces a simple, foundational message that helps people make everyday choices that support overall wellness and a healthier America."

The bottled water industry has advocated for adding a glass of water to the U.S. nutrition graphic, MyPlate-the premier educational tool used to promote the DGA's healthy diet recommendations to the public. Nearly 80 countries around the globe recognize water in their nutrition graphics, while the U.S.'s graphic had no representation of the important role that water plays in overall health. In recent years, IBWA partnered with more than 30 public health and water organizations to advocate for a water icon on the U.S. nutrition graphic and collaborated with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress on a letter to USDA and HHS on this issue.

Now that the latest edition of the DGAs has been announced, a new Food Pyramid nutrition graphic has replaced MyPlate. Unfortunately, that graphic also does not include water. IBWA members will continue to urge HHS and USDA to ensure that subsequent educational materials that may appear in doctors' offices, school cafeterias, and community spaces accurately reflect the written version of the guidelines, including encouraging people to drink water.

"Water consumption is fundamental to gaining the benefits of all the other food groups on the nutrition graphic. Whether tap, filtered, or bottled, we must continue to reinforce water as the beverage of choice," said Pollack.

During the White House briefing to announce the release of the updated DGAs, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. emphasized "Eat Real Food" messaging and moving away from highly processed foods. They noted that this is the first step in resetting federal nutrition guidance.

"Bottled water is a great choice because it can help people avoid or moderate extra calories, sugar, caffeine, artificial colors or flavors that are often contained in other packaged beverages," says Pollack.

"Whether as a replacement for high-calorie beverages or unwanted ingredients, bottled water offers consumers a refreshing, hydrating, and convenient beverage that provides consistent safety, quality, and good taste. And with the variety of types available - from spring and purified, to mineral and sparking - bottled water offers consumers many choices to suit their specific needs and preferences."

For more information about bottled water, visit IBWA's website: https://www.bottledwater.org

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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
[email protected]
703.647.4609

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors, and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.

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