Brita (owned by The Clorox Company) faced a class-action lawsuit for alleged false advertising. Consumers claimed the company misled the public into believing its water filters completely eliminated hazardous contaminants—such as "forever chemicals" (PFAS), arsenic, and uranium.
The proposed class-action lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims that deceptive advertising has led customers to falsely believe that Brita products filter such contaminants as arsenic, nitrate, hexavalent chromium and certain PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” from tap water.
Brita filters are ineffective against substances such as nitrates, bacteria, and certain chemicals. If your water supply is contaminated with these, you may need to explore additional treatment options.
Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis is one of the most common filtration methods to purify drinking water. Therefore, this type of water ranks among the healthiest to drink because it eliminates hazardous contaminants, such as lead and arsenic.
Brita water filters are safe for their intended purpose of improving the taste and odor of municipal tap water, reducing contaminants like chlorine and some heavy metals. However, they are not designed to purify water or remove all contaminants.
Neither is inherently "healthier", but Brita-filtered tap water is often a better choice for your wallet, the environment, and overall safety. Many bottled waters are simply filtered municipal tap water, and bottled brands are not legally required to disclose contaminant levels like public utilities are.
There is no single “#1” healthiest water, as the ideal choice depends on your specific health and hydration needs. However, experts generally agree that naturally mineralized spring water and carbon-filtered tap water (especially when remineralized) are the best daily options.
Cardiologists warn against drinking from plastic bottled water primarily due to microplastics, nanoplastics, and chemical additives. These contaminants are shed from the bottles themselves and can directly impact your cardiovascular health.
The overall top-rated water filter systems vary depending on your setup needs, but reverse osmosis (RO) systems generally rank highest for comprehensive contaminant removal. Top choices include:
Every bacteria, chemical, mineral, and toxin that can potentially be found in water isn't being filtered out by your Brita filter, so if you do choose to have one, please, for your health, change it every 40 gallons, which should be approximately every 8 weeks if you live alone, at least once per month if you have a ...
Filtered water is not inherently "healthier" than tap water if your municipal supply already meets safety standards. However, it is often preferred because it removes aesthetic impurities and provides a safety net against heavy metals (like lead from old pipes) and industrial chemicals.
For overall contaminant removal in a pitcher, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the industry leader, removing over 365+ contaminants, including heavy metals, fluoride, and PFAS, without stripping healthy minerals.
Yes, it is harmless. The black flecks or dust are just activated carbon, which is food-grade and non-toxic. While swallowing a few particles won’t hurt you, Brita recommends soaking and flushing new filters to wash away loose dust before use so it doesn't affect the taste or feel of your water.
To effectively filter out microplastics without adding new plastic particles to your water, you need a high-performance system (like reverse osmosis) or a filtration housing made of glass and stainless steel. The most effective options vary by setup:
Our Brita Elite™ Filters remove 99% of lead* and reduce 5x as many contaminants than our Original Filters for safer tap water*. These replacement filters last 6 months, so you only have to change them twice a year‡.
The "healthiest" water filter is subjective because it depends on the contaminants in your tap water and your budget, but experts like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) identify Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems as the most effective overall for removing heavy metals, "forever chemicals" (PFAS), and pharmaceuticals.
Whether Culligan is "better" depends on your specific needs, as Culligan (featuring ZeroWater technology) focuses on maximum contaminant reduction, while Brita is best for taste, speed, and affordability.
Kirkland water filters are Costco’s store-brand alternative to Brita. Kirkland filters are designed to be compatible with standard Brita pitchers and dispensers. The two systems use similar filtration methods (activated carbon and ion-exchange resin), but there are a few distinct differences:
The #1 worst drinks for your heart are sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as regular sodas, sweetened fruit juices, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Cardiologists and medical bodies consistently rank these highest in danger due to their ability to drive up inflammation, blood pressure, triglycerides, and heart disease risk factors.
Bottled Water Can be Contaminated
Most bottled water is likely safe. However, the bottled water industry does not have a perfect track record. An article from CBS.com states there have been more than 100 recalls of bottled water. The article lists common water contaminants like algae, types of bacteria, and chlorine.
Cardiologists consistently advise avoiding processed meats (bacon, sausage, hot dogs), sugary drinks (soda, sweetened coffee), and fried foods (french fries, fast food) to protect heart health. These items are high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars, which elevate blood pressure, raise bad cholesterol (LDL), and promote inflammation.
The top 5 bottled waters include:
Drinking water does not directly lower your A1C, but it acts as an essential supporting habit. Water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar through your urine and dilutes concentrated blood sugar. Most importantly, replacing sugary drinks with water lowers calorie intake, aiding weight management and long-term A1C control.
Approximately 64% of all bottled water in the U.S. is sourced from municipal tap water. Major brands package local tap water, then purify it using reverse osmosis and typically add minerals for taste.