Pepsi Admits Aquafina is Tap Water
Posted: Friday, July 27, 2007
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
The label on Aquafina clearly states: P.W.S. Are we to expect Pepsi to spell it out for us? We see acronyms, monograms, and initials throughout advertising and in business. If I wished to know what P.W.S. meant, I should have written to the company before buying the water.
Leaving the water in the cooler or on the shelf would have been the most reasonable and prudent thing to do, I suspect. Why should I contribute to Pepsi’s bottom line when I have no idea what P.W.S. means? Why should I drink it if the label doesn’t tell me? Why can’t I take responsibility for myself knowing it’s really about acquiring the number one position in the market and not about the health and welfare of consumers?
"The label currently reads: 'Bottled At The Source P.W.S.' The change will be made to spell out 'P.W.S.' by reading 'Public Water Source,' " Michelle Naughton, Pepsi-Cola North American’s spokeswoman told CNN.
The company does not want to waste any labels that have already been printed; therefore, they will phase in the new label over time. Naughton could not provide a time-table for when customers will see the label change on store shelves.
In their defense, Pepsi never touted the water as spring water but we know bottled water is typically far costlier than regular tap water. In marketing, perceived value is how consumers make a decision to make a purchase. If the value of the product is marketed, packaged and positioned as a high-end item, we will be charged a higher price; even for tap water.
There is truth in Advertising. As consumers, we have to be the wiser and not easily manipulated “just because." Our trust must be earned. We must demand integrity at every level in our lives and make sure it begins within. Too much is at stake for us not to get on our soap boxes and let our voices be heard.
I’m thinking, water on tap? Does it come in a frosted pilsner? There’s perceived value!
© 2007 by Avis Ward of AWard Consulting, LLC
This Article has been viewed 5,437 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)You know Avis I was weaned on Pepsi. All through my life there was always a battle going on between Pepsi and Coke. I’ve always defended my Pepsi over Coke. It’s a shame they’ve tainted their good name. But like everything else in our society, money rules over morals and fair trading.David, I was also "weaned on Pepsi." I finally stopped drinking the stuff in my 20's. I admit, however, I gotta have the fizzz sometime so I will buy sparkling mineral water or another Italian sparkling water. There are times when nothing takes the place of that fizz. Thanks for commenting.
Yes, Avis let the buyer beware. They do not have to post what they don't want to and they do not have to tell you everything they know. I think they called that at one time long ago character and morality but as David says, its all about money. If we can be duped in the small things of trust what does that say about the larger and is this not an example of don't judge the book by the cover? As always, my best regards to you.Robert, I'm in agreement with you and David. As buyers, we must beware and vocal. I loved that about you. I may not agree, comment or not always understand but you will speak out. You are vocal about the good (righteous) and bad (unrighteousness). Keep at it, Sir Robert. Thank you for reading and commenting on this article. My warmest smile and regards to you.
"Aquafina uses PepsiCo's own purification system, which it calls HydRO-7, that includes charcoal filtration, reverse osmosis and ozonation." Spring water is the real loser, not Reverse Osmosis. With RO you know what you're getting - nothing but water (and maybe a bit of plastic, but that's another story altogether...)Let me apologize first for a late response. Thank you for reading and commenting on this article. Is the moral of the story, it pays to be an 'educated' consumer?
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