Inquiry into Coke's tap water

Trading standards officers have begun an investigation of Coca-Cola's marketing of its new bottled water Dasani.

The Food Standards Agency says the water, which costs 95p for half a litre, may breach rules designed to protect consumers.

Dasani is sold as "pure, still" water, but this may be incorrect because minerals are added in the production process.

The drink, which is bottled at Coca-Cola's plant in Sidcup, Kent, came to the attention of the agency after the company admitted the water came from the mains supply of Thames Water.

Yesterday the agency asked the London Borough of Hillingdon, the local authority for Uxbridge, where Coca-Cola's UK headquarters are, to investigate use of the term "pure".

The agency's guidance states that the term "pure" should apply only to "single ingredient foods or to highlight the quality of ingredients".

Coca-Cola adds calcium, magnesium and sodium bicarbonate to the tap water.