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Everyday Question: Why is Water Always Served in Bottles in Restaurants?

When visiting a restaurant, drinks are usually served straight from the glass. If you order mineral water, it often comes in bottles. What’s behind it?

The Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO)

If you order a drink in a restaurant or a café, you will usually receive it in a glass.

Table water can also be served in a glass or carafe – in contrast to mineral water, which is subject to special regulations and can only be brought in unopened bottles and only served at the table. The reason for this lies in the regulations to which mineral water is subject. These are the highest quality standards that are regulated in the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO):
It originates from subterranean water sources protected from pollution and is obtained from one or more natural or man-made springs.
It is of original purity and characterized by its content of minerals, trace elements or other components and, where appropriate, by certain, especially nutritional effects.
Its composition, temperature and other essential characteristics remain constant within the limits of natural variations; they are not changed by fluctuations in the bed.
So if the mineral water is brought to your table in a sealed bottle and only opened there, you should be assured that it is just this quality water – and not table water, for example. So you can be sure that you will be served unadulterated mineral water.

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health

Sterilize and Clean Baby Bottles

This is how you can clean and sterilize pacifiers and baby bottles. With tips, tricks, and instructions on how to properly clean baby pacifiers, cleaning the baby bottle is child’s play. When a baby comes into the household as a new family member, the usual daily routine is turned upside down. Feeding, diaper changing, washing clothes – many parents often wish for an extra pair of hands to do all the work that needs to be done. Sterilizing the pacifier and cleaning the baby’s pacifier and milk bottle is a time-consuming task.

In the fight against viruses and bacteria

A newborn’s immune system is not as developed as that of an adult. To prevent your baby from developing a gastrointestinal infection in the first few weeks, it is important that bottles and pacifiers are sterilized regularly. Various methods are available for sterilization, which differ significantly in terms of handling, the time required, and costs.

Time-consuming tradition: decoction

Traditional boiling is initially the cheapest method because parents do not have to buy any additional equipment apart from a pot. However, it takes a lot of time and is impractical to use. Furthermore, a large amount of water has to be heated and it can even melt pacifiers or plastic parts. The risk of getting burned is particularly high.

Expensive alternative: the vaporizer

The vaporizer, an electrical device for sterilization with hot steam, is a safe and energy-saving alternative to boiling. Bottles are sterilized within 10-15 minutes with significantly less water. Most devices turn themselves off, leaving you free to focus on other tasks. Probably the biggest disadvantage of the vaporizer is the price, which is very high with an average of 40-50 €, especially since you will probably use this household appliance for a maximum of one year. The following method of sterilization is much cheaper but just as effective.

Fast and inexpensive: the microwave

Many households already have a microwave. It is all the more practical if you can also use this device to sterilize bottles. All you have to do is buy a microwave steam sterilizer, which is significantly cheaper than the electric vaporizer at €10-15.

Bottles and pacifiers are placed in a tray on a grid. Then, as in the vaporizer, add a small amount of water and close the container. After about 5 – 7 minutes in the microwave, you should wait about 2 minutes until the container has cooled down, and then remove it from the microwave. You can use the bottles immediately or take them out on the grid and let them dry.

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Lifestyle

Sterilize Pacifiers and Clean Baby Bottles

This is how you can clean and sterilize pacifiers and baby bottles. With tips, tricks, and instructions on how to properly clean baby pacifiers, cleaning the baby bottle is child’s play. When a baby comes into the household as a new family member, the usual daily routine is turned upside down.

Feeding, diaper changing, washing clothes – many parents often wish for an extra pair of hands to do all the work that needs to be done. Sterilizing the pacifier and cleaning the baby’s pacifier and milk bottle is a time-consuming task.

In the fight against viruses and bacteria

A newborn’s immune system is not as developed as that of an adult. To prevent your baby from developing a gastrointestinal infection in the first few weeks, it is important that bottles and pacifiers are sterilized regularly. Various methods are available for sterilization, which differ significantly in terms of handling, the time required, and costs.

Time-consuming tradition: decoction

Traditional boiling is initially the cheapest method because parents do not have to buy any additional equipment apart from a pot. However, it takes a lot of time and is impractical to use. Furthermore, a large amount of water has to be heated and it can even melt pacifiers or plastic parts. The risk of getting burned is particularly high.

Expensive alternative: the vaporizer

The vaporizer, an electrical device for sterilization with hot steam, is a safe and energy-saving alternative to boiling. Bottles are sterilized within 10-15 minutes with significantly less water. Most devices turn themselves off, leaving you free to focus on other tasks.

Probably the biggest disadvantage of the vaporizer is the price, which is very high with an average of 40-50 €, especially since you will probably use this household appliance for a maximum of one year. The following method of sterilization is much cheaper but just as effective.

Fast and inexpensive: the microwave

Many households already have a microwave. It is all the more practical if you can also use this device to sterilize bottles. All you have to do is buy a microwave steam sterilizer, which is significantly cheaper than the electric vaporizer at €10-15. Bottles and pacifiers are placed in a tray on a grid. Then, as in the vaporizer, add a small amount of water and close the container.

After about 5 – 7 minutes in the microwave, you should wait about 2 minutes until the container has cooled down, and then remove it from the microwave. You can use the bottles immediately or take them out on the grid and let them dry.

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Food

How Unhealthy is Water From Plastic Bottles?

With sparkling water and from the plastic bottle – that’s how many prefer to drink their water. But the effect of plastic on human health is controversial. Does bottled water from PET bottles really pose a risk?

“Environmental hormones in mineral water!” was the headline in many major media outlets in 2009. Two scientists from the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main published research results at the time that suggested mineral water was contaminated with substances that have an estrogen-like effect. Since then, the validity of the study has repeatedly been questioned by various parties and authorities have given the all-clear. But the fear that water from plastic bottles is contaminated with environmental hormones or other chemicals persists.

What has happened in research since then? Are hormones really a problem – or are there possibly other substances? Do unhealthy substances from plastic bottles get into the water at all?

PET bottles: hormones in mineral water?

Since the Frankfurt study of 2009, no other serious research has found such high levels of exposure to hormonally active substances. So did the substances really come from the plastic bottles?

The search for the source is extremely difficult and far from over, says Dr. Martin Wagner, one of the authors of the study. “I am still of the opinion that there was estrogen pollution in the water at the time. But nobody knows exactly where they came from,” explains Wagner. “Unfortunately, little has happened since then, there have been hardly any scientific studies on mineral water in the last ten years.”

dr Frank Welle, a chemist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), doubts that the hormone pollution really came from the plastic bottles. In the Frankfurt study, it was striking “that the same brand of mineral water in glass or PET bottles showed no significant differences.” He wrote this in an analysis in 2014. He also says that since then there have been no relevant publications on the subject. “But that’s not surprising if there are no hormones at all in mineral water or PET bottles.”

According to the last statement by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) from 2011, there is “neither evidence of estrogen-like activity in the mineral waters, nor have substances been detected in concentrations that could have caused such an activity.” However, the BfR sees a need for further research.

also dr Martin Wagner, who is now doing research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, says: “In the last study, we did not find any estrogenic effects in PET.” Overall, PET came off relatively well. However, he announces that a new, as yet unpublished study has definitely found hormonal stress. “This shows that results in this area are difficult to generalize.”

How do pollutants get into the water?

If the plastic bottles really aren’t the (biggest) problem, how do chemicals get into the mineral water? One possible source of contamination is the water source.

Contamination of mineral water at source

Various contaminants get into mineral water from water sources again and again. Among other things, the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) established in 2006 “that in some cases the raw water already has an estrogenic effect.” This suggests that any estrogenic contamination that is actually present could come from the springs instead of from the bottles. “But this has not been systematically investigated since then,” criticizes Wagner.

Plastic bottled water: chemical aftertaste

Assuming that PET plastic bottles are more or less harmless: why does the water sometimes taste so strange? Everyone knows the chemical taste when plastic bottles have been in the sun for a long time. Acetaldehyde escaping from the plastic is responsible for this. The substance is created in the manufacturing process of PET; it can be released into the water, especially at high temperatures and for long periods of storage.

Water in plastic bottles: harmful or not?

So is water from plastic bottles (PET bottles) a health risk? According to the current (!) status, probably not. We deliberately formulate this so vaguely because in some cases significantly more research is needed to be able to answer this question conclusively.

The suspicion that hormonally active substances migrate from plastic bottles into mineral water has not (yet) been confirmed according to the current state of research. Various substances from the PET can be released into the contents of the bottles, but according to the current state of knowledge, not in critical quantities. Not only on this, but also on a potential health hazard from microplastics, there is still a lack of clear knowledge.

In addition to substances from the plastic, residues from agriculture are also found in mineral water – however, this applies to water from both plastic and glass bottles.

As a precautionary measure, should we stop drinking water from plastic bottles? Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to do without for health reasons. But there are other reasons that speak for it.

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Lifestyle

Clean Narrow Bottles and Narrow Vases

We have collected the best tips and tricks on how to get narrow vases and narrow bottles really clean again. Cleaning is natural and possible without chemicals in household products.

Unfortunately, narrow vases, decorative bottles, and rodent drinking bottles are difficult or impossible to clean with dishwashing brushes. Also, many pieces are not suitable for the dishwasher. Above all, drinking bottles of all kinds should be cleaned without chemicals if possible. We’ll explain the best way to do this.

1) Rice as a cleaning agent

Raw rice, for example, is suitable for cleaning narrow bottles and narrow vases. Rice is inexpensive and only small amounts are needed to clean the vessels. The cleaning process is quite simple as follows.

About a tablespoon of raw rice is placed in the jar. A small amount of water is added to this. The vessel is closed and shaken vigorously until the deposits such as algae disappear. This is usually the case after a few minutes.

By rubbing the rice on the edge of the container, the residues inside the container can be easily removed. After the visibly successful cleaning process, the vessel is emptied. In order not to allow loose grains of rice down the drain, it is advisable to use a bowl.

The rice is suitable for further operations as long as it is still grainy. If no further cleaning processes are necessary, the water can even be used to water flowers, since it does not contain any chemicals.

2) The classic bottle brush

If you want to use a classic cleaning agent for narrow vases, you can also buy a bottle brush. These are flexible and thin enough to fit through the opening of narrow bottles. Nevertheless, they are stable enough for proper cleaning.

You simply guide the brush up through the neck of your vessel into which you have previously put water. If you like, you can also add a little washing-up liquid. Then move the brush up and down along the edge until you reach the desired level of cleanliness. Now rinse the bottle with clear water until there is no longer any traces of dirt and washing-up liquid.

3) Baking soda for cleaning

Baking powder is a true all-rounder among home remedies. You can also use it to clean your narrow vessel, vase, or bottle. You will also need some hot water. Mix a packet of baking soda with it and pour the mixture into your jar. The household remedy baking soda is also suitable for this purpose.

Now you need about half an hour of patience because that’s how long the baking powder has to work to develop its full effect. Then all you have to do is add clear water, shake until the remains have come off the sides, and rinse everything well with clear water.

4) Cooking spoon and tea towel

Another way you can use home remedies to get your narrow vase or narrow bottle clean is to combine a cooking spoon and tea towel. To do this, place a tea towel in the middle of the opening of the container and then press the towel in with the handle of a wooden spoon.

Now you can use the wooden spoon to move the cloth inside the container and clean it. Due to its wide end, the wooden spoon cannot slip into the neck of the bottle or vase and is therefore ideal as a small helper. If your tea towel is smelly, you can get it really clean again with a few simple tricks.

5) Buy professional means

Even professional cleaning agents for vessels with a narrow neck sometimes do not require any chemicals at all, because they are based on mechanical principles – similar to rice. For example, there are cleaning beads made of stainless steel that you can reuse as often as you like.

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