I don't know the science behind this; all I can give you is my own anecdotal experience. I used to dip water from creeks, dump in the Knorr (Lipton) Side Dish ingredients, and boil the whole thing for whatever the instructions said to do. I never got sick from eating the food, though I eventually got sick OF eating the food. wink The big unknown: I don't know what, if anything, the water contained in the form of "nasties."

Is it safe? I can't say for sure. Does it work? It has for me.