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The Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) rejects the suggestion that the increasing incidence of dental decay detected in children, may be due to consumption of bottled water. Whilst there are some bottled waters which contain naturally occurring fluoride, this suggestion was put forward due to bottled water not containing ‘added fluoride’.
ABWI notes that there is no cause and effect reported in any reputable scientific study that links consumption of bottled water with dental decay. Dental decay is multi-factorial and primarily caused by the lack of proper dental hygiene and by the consumption of fermentable carbohydrates that may stick to the teeth. In fact, bottled water does not contain ingredients that cause cavities and is often a replacement for beverages and foods that may contribute to poor dental health.
As of July 2009, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) made it legal for the nation’s water bottlers to have the option of adding fluoride to still, bottled water. The level of fluoride that is able to be added is consistent with that found in municipal water supplies in Australia.
The level of fluoride is strictly regulated by FSANZ and is to be within the range of 0.6-1mg/L (total of added and naturally occurring fluoride). As a legal requirement of the Food Standards Code, any bottled water sold in Australia and New Zealand which has added fluoride must state clearly on the label that the product ‘contains added fluoride’.
We note that many consumers buy bottled water in order to avoid the added fluoride. Member bottlers who choose to offer bottled water with ‘added fluoride’ will ensure that those consumers who enjoy bottled water as part of their daily hydration needs are now able to choose from both fluoridated and non fluoridated bottled water options. The availability of fluoridated and non fluoridated bottled water products on the market increases choice for consumers to meet daily hydration requirements.
For alternative views on fluoridation of water and bottled water see:-
Lastly but no least, there is no evidence to suggest that very young children below five years of age, during their dental formative years are consuming large amounts of bottled water.
ABWI are committed to the supply of safe, high quality bottled water by its members – the increasing popularity of bottled water by consumers is testimony to the universally perceived quality and safety of bottled water in Australia and New Zealand.
For further information contact the ABWI office abwi@bottledwater.org.au
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