The Short Answer
The cleanest sparkling water is Mountain Valley Spring Water (in glass). It consistently tests at non-detectable levels for PFAS, comes in glass bottles that avoid plastic leaching, and sources from a protected spring.
For flavored options, Spindrift and Nixie are the winners. Spindrift uses real squeezed fruit juice (not "natural flavors") and tests very clean. Nixie uses reverse osmosis filtration to remove contaminants before carbonating and is USDA Certified Organic.
Avoid Perrier and San Pellegrino. Parent company Nestlé admitted in 2024 to using illegal filtration methods to treat contaminated source water (containing fecal matter and pesticides), shattering their "natural mineral water" claims.
Why This Matters
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are "forever chemicals" used in non-stick cookware and stain-resistant coatings. They are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and liver damage.
Because sparkling water is often carbonated using industrial equipment, it can have higher PFAS levels than still water. A Consumer Reports study found that many popular carbonated brands had significantly higher levels of these chemicals than their flat counterparts.
Beyond the water, the "Natural Flavors" listed on cans like LaCroix and Bubly are a black box. FDA regulations allow these flavors to contain solvents, preservatives, and emulsifiers without listing them on the label.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Glass Bottles — Eliminates the risk of BPA/BPS leaching from can liners.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) — This filtration method is highly effective at removing PFAS.
- "Spindrift Rule" — The ingredient list should look like food (e.g., "Water, Lemon Juice") not a chemistry set.
- Certified Organic — Ensures flavors aren't extracted using synthetic solvents like hexane.
Red Flags:
- "Natural Flavors" (with no specifics) — Often indicates processed essences.
- High PFAS History — Brands that have tested poorly in the past (Topo Chico, Polar).
- Nestlé Ownership — Perrier/San Pellegrino have faced massive quality control and fraud scandals recently.
The Best Options
Here is how the top brands stack up based on independent testing and ingredient transparency.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Valley | Sparkling Water | ✅ | Gold Standard. Glass bottles, spring water, 0 detected PFAS. |
| Spindrift | Sparkling Water | ✅ | Best Flavored. Real fruit juice, very low PFAS (0.19 ppt). |
| Nixie | Organic Sparkling | ✅ | Best Canned. RO filtered, Certified Organic, 0 detected PFAS. |
| Aura Bora | Herbal Sparkling | ✅ | Real herbal extracts, RO filtered, unique flavors. |
| Waterloo | Sparkling Water | ⚠️ | Acceptable. 0 PFAS, but uses generic "Natural Flavors." |
| Topo Chico | Mineral Water | ⚠️ | Caution. History of high PFAS (9.76 ppt). Recent batches may be better, but trust is low. |
| LaCroix | Sparkling Water | ⚠️ | Caution. ~1.16 ppt PFAS. Vague "Natural Flavors." |
| Polar | Seltzer | 🚫 | Avoid. High PFAS levels (~6.41 ppt) in testing. |
| Perrier | Mineral Water | 🚫 | Avoid. Source contamination and illegal filtration scandal. |
Detailed Brand Breakdown
Mountain Valley Spring Water
This is the purist's choice. Bottled in glass, it avoids the BPA/BPS liners found in aluminum cans. Independent tests consistently show zero detected PFAS. It preserves natural minerals without the contamination risks seen in European brands.
Spindrift
Spindrift changed the game by using real fruit juice. When you drink the lemon flavor, you are drinking water and lemon juice. That’s it. Most competitors use "lemon essence" dissolved in propylene glycol or ethanol. Spindrift also tests extremely low for PFAS (0.19 ppt), which is virtually negligible. Is Spindrift Clean
Nixie
Founded by the creator of Late July snacks, Nixie goes the extra mile. They use Reverse Osmosis filtration—the gold standard for removing PFAS—before adding carbonation. They are also USDA Certified Organic, meaning their flavors are cleaner than standard "natural flavors."
Topo Chico
Topo Chico has a cult following, but its test results are concerning. In 2020, Consumer Reports found it had 9.76 ppt of PFAS—one of the highest levels tested. While Coca-Cola (the owner) claims to have reduced this, they have not been transparent with new data. Is Topo Chico Clean
Perrier & San Pellegrino
In 2024, French prosecutors investigated Nestlé Waters for using prohibited filtration treatments (like UV and activated carbon) on their mineral waters. They did this because the "pure" springs were actually contaminated with fecal bacteria and pesticides. While the filtration made the water safe to drink, it proved their "natural source" marketing was a lie. Is Fiji Water Clean
The Bottom Line
1. Go Glass — If you drink sparkling water daily, switch to Mountain Valley in glass bottles to avoid microplastics and can liners.
2. Fruit, Not Flavor — Choose Spindrift to avoid the "natural flavor" chemical loophole.
3. Filter It Yourself — The ultimate control is a SodaStream used with RO-filtered water from your own home system. Is Reverse Osmosis Worth It
FAQ
Is LaCroix safe to drink?
LaCroix is generally safe but not "clean." It contains low levels of PFAS (~1.16 ppt) and uses vague "Natural Flavors." They have switched to BPA-free cans, but they likely use BPA substitutes like BPS, which can still disrupt hormones. Is Lacroix Clean
Does sparkling water have more PFAS than tap water?
Often, yes. The carbonation process or the machinery used to bottle the water can introduce PFAS. Brands that use Reverse Osmosis (like Nixie or generic store brands processed with RO) are usually safer than "Spring Water" brands that don't filter heavily. Pfas In Water
Is Topo Chico clean now?
We recommend caution. While they claim to have improved filtration, their history of having the highest PFAS levels (9.76 ppt) in major testing makes them a risky choice compared to brands with a clean track record like Mountain Valley. Is Topo Chico Clean