III Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru. USP.

Fluoride concentration in bottled water on the market in the municipality of São Paulo The objective of the study was to evaluate the fl uoride concentration in bottled water available on the market, in comparison with the values printed on the bottle label. Two hundred and twenty-nine water samples were collected from 35 brands available in several supermarkets, grocery stores and snack bars with high turnover in different regions of the municipality of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. Fluoride concentrations were determined by duplicate analysis using an ion-specifi c electrode. The fl uoride concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 2.04 mg/l, with signifi cant differences between the values stipulated on labels and those found in the analyses. These results emphasize the importance of controls over fl uoride levels in bottled water enforced by the sanitary surveillance agency. KEY WORDS: Bottled water, analysis. Fluorine compounds. Product labeling. Food and beverages, standards. Health surveillance