Is FIJI Water a healthy water?: A Comprehensive Nutritional Analysis

October 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to FIJI Water's own website, its water originates from a pristine, artesian aquifer in the remote Fiji Islands. The real question, however, is whether is FIJI Water a healthy water choice for daily consumption or if its premium price is driven more by marketing than superior health benefits.

Quick Summary

This article examines the unique qualities of FIJI Water, including its mineral composition, natural filtration process, and potential health benefits. It also addresses the nutritional value compared to other water sources, cost factors, and environmental considerations to help consumers make an informed choice.

Key Points

Source & Mineral Content: FIJI Water is naturally filtered through volcanic rock, giving it a unique mineral profile rich in silica, magnesium, and calcium.
Silica Benefits: The high silica content contributes to FIJI Water's soft taste and may offer benefits for skin, hair, and nails, as silica supports collagen production.
Concerns Exist: Despite claims of purity, independent tests and a past recall have raised concerns about trace contaminants like manganese, arsenic, and PFAS in some batches.
Tap Water is a Viable Alternative: High-quality tap water is often just as safe, more regulated, and drastically cheaper than FIJI Water, without the high environmental cost.
Marketing vs. Necessity: The premium price of FIJI Water is largely driven by its brand image and transportation costs, not necessarily superior hydration or nutritional value.
Environmental Trade-Offs: While the company invests in sustainability, the high carbon footprint of shipping water from Fiji and reliance on plastic bottles remain significant environmental issues.

The Science Behind FIJI Water

FIJI Water is known as a premium bottled water due to its origin story and source. The company states that the water comes from an artesian aquifer deep beneath a rainforest in the Fiji Islands. This process includes several geological steps that shape its mineral content and flavor.

The Artesian Aquifer and Volcanic Filtration

The process begins with tropical rain purified by trade winds over a rainforest. The water then filters through volcanic rock layers, which naturally purify it and add minerals. It collects in a confined underground aquifer protected by impermeable rock. The natural pressure then brings the water to the surface for bottling at the source, without human contact until opened.

Mineral Profile and Health Claims

Filtration through volcanic rock enriches FIJI Water with minerals like silica, magnesium, and calcium.

Silica: FIJI Water is high in silica (around 93 mg/L). Silica may support collagen production for healthy hair, skin, and nails. It may also help the body remove aluminum. High silica contributes to the water's smooth taste.
Electrolytes: The natural minerals act as electrolytes, aiding hydration, especially for active people. The company claims its water has significantly more electrolytes than other premium brands.
pH Level: FIJI Water has a pH of 7.7, making it slightly alkaline. Some believe alkaline water can neutralize acid in the blood, though this is debated. Many simply prefer the taste.

Potential Downsides and Concerns

Despite its marketing, there are factors consumers should consider about FIJI Water.

Contamination and Regulation

Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, while tap water is regulated by the EPA. Some argue tap water faces more frequent testing. Reports have occasionally raised concerns about contaminants in FIJI Water. A 2024 report mentioned a recall of 78,000 cases due to high manganese and bacteria. Another video from the same period reported trace amounts of arsenic and PFAS. While FIJI Water bottles were previously BPA-free, these findings suggest that claims of absolute purity may not always hold true, and quality can vary. High-quality tap water can be a much cheaper and often equally safe option.

Environmental Impact and Cost

Transporting water from Fiji creates a substantial carbon footprint. While FIJI Water has initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and uses recycled plastic for some bottles, the process of shipping bottled water globally is environmentally intensive compared to using local tap water. The high cost reflects these logistics and marketing, not necessarily superior health benefits. For many, the price for water, even with a different mineral profile, is not justifiable.

FIJI Water vs. Other Water Options

To help you decide if FIJI Water fits into your nutritional diet, here's a comparison with other water sources.


Feature	FIJI Water	Tap Water (High-Quality Municipal)	Natural Spring Water	Filtered Water (e.g., RO System)
Source	Artesian Aquifer, Fiji	Local Municipal Source	Natural Spring	Municipal/Well Water
Mineral Content	Rich in Silica, Magnesium, Calcium	Varies by location, may contain added fluoride	Varies by source, naturally occurring	Very low, minerals are filtered out
pH Level	Slightly alkaline (7.7)	Varies by location	Varies by source	Can be slightly acidic or neutral
Taste	Soft and smooth mouthfeel, slightly sweet	Varies, can contain chlorine taste	Varies, can taste fresh and crisp	Pure and neutral taste
Cost	High, due to premium sourcing and transport	Very low and inexpensive	Moderate, varies by brand	Initial cost for filter, low ongoing cost
Regulation	FDA regulations for bottled water	EPA regulations for public water	FDA regulations for bottled water	Varies by device, not regulated by a government body
Environmental Impact	High carbon footprint from shipping	Very low, delivered locally	Varies, but often lower than imported water	Low, reuse of container

Conclusion: So, Is FIJI Water a Healthy Water?

Deciding if is FIJI Water a healthy water for you involves considering personal taste, cost, and priorities. Its high silica and smooth taste are attractive, offering minor potential health benefits. However, the mineral levels are not a significant source of nutrients. In terms of safety, while it meets federal standards, good quality tap water is often equally safe, much cheaper, and more sustainable. Independent reports of occasional contaminants highlight that even premium bottled water can have issues. For those focused on sustainability and budget, filtered tap water is often the most practical and healthy choice. If you enjoy the taste and can afford it, FIJI Water is a safe option for hydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

FIJI Water is sourced from a protected artesian aquifer located deep underground in the remote Yaqara Valley on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji.

The water's smooth, soft taste is attributed to its high concentration of silica, a mineral absorbed as the water filters through volcanic rock.

Yes, FIJI Water naturally contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which act as electrolytes, contributing to its taste and aiding hydration.

For most people in areas with high-quality municipal water, tap water is often just as safe and healthy, significantly more affordable, and environmentally friendly. While Fiji offers a unique mineral profile, it is not necessarily 'better'.

While generally safe, independent reports have occasionally found trace levels of contaminants like arsenic and PFAS in some batches, and a recall was issued for manganese contamination in 2024.

With a pH of 7.7, FIJI Water is considered slightly alkaline, which is within the typical range for natural drinking water.

Despite some use of recycled plastic and conservation efforts, the high energy consumption from bottling and shipping water thousands of miles gives FIJI Water a significant carbon footprint compared to local water sources.