All that glitters is not gold

Remove the Trans fatty acids from the French fries. Take away the egg yolks because they have too much cholesterol. Stop eating meat because of the potential for elevated triglyceride levels, and now drink water from a bottle because it is pure and healthy. These are just a few of the changes witnessed in today’s green and healthy communities. So, with all this focus on healthy living, why are all consumable goods not judged equally?

Bottled water has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past couple of decades. We have had it presented as healthy, pure and the only way to go for portability. It is of considerable wonder why this industry is regulated differently than that of our own municipal water supplies. “Municipal water providers are regulated by Environmental Protection Agency and the bottled water industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.” (Fredrix, 2009)

The two different regulatory bodies for seemingly similar products creates a double set of standards that is potentially confusing for consumers. “Community water systems must distribute annual reports about their water's source, contaminants and possible health concerns.” (Fredrix, 2009) “Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and required to show nutrition information and ingredients on its labels.” (Fredrix, 2009) It does not have to list where it is from, possible contaminants or health concerns. Again, I ask, as a consumable product shouldn’t there be only one regulatory body for this product?
As if the reporting differences between the two methods of delivery were not enough of a quagmire, there are other concerns about bottled water to ponder. With bottled water, there is the container. It is plastic recyclable not biodegradable. The recycling movement still has not completely caught on and as such this results in millions of bottles being sent to landfills. Also, just as with the recent reports of chemicals leaking from baby bottles being potentially harmful to our infants, there are concerns not publicized about chemicals leaching into the water from the bottled water containers. One of the primary chemicals of concern that is regulated by the EPA and not the FDA is that of DEHP. According to “a report released by the FDA in 2001, and publicized to health care providers this past July, FDA concluded that newborn male infants and pre-pubertal boys with prolonged exposure to DEHP may be at risk for testicular abnormalities.” (Traynor, 2008) Again, I ask, shouldn’t there be one agency regulating our water consumption.

The most current recommendations from the FDA and other regulatory bodies is that the water from our taps is just as safe as that which can be purchased commercially. They suggest that if we have any concerns about taste or quality to just filter the water through a commercially available water filter. This practice will decrease the amount of plastic bottles being sent to landfills, and will work to eliminate unnecessary exposure to manmade chemicals with potential lifelong problems. Not to mention that water from the tap cost far less than the normal $1.00 per bottle we normally pay at the store. To this end I say, drink the water from the tap, filter the wells and always know what you are putting into your body. Until one agency regulates this consumable product we all must be diligent when being marketed.

Bibliography
Fredrix, E. (2009, July 8). Stricter labeling urged for bottled water. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_bi_ge/us_bottled_water_vs_tap
Traynor, K. (2008, September 15). ASHP. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from FDA report identified DEHP exposure risk: http://www.ashp.org/import/News/HealthSystemPharmacyNews/newsarticle.aspx?id=1060