Overregulation on Tap
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Dana Milbank's July 9 Washington Sketch ["A Congressman With a Thirst for Truth"] on hearings on bottled water highlighted the absurdity of Washington policymaking. As wars and recessions loom, our leaders focus on the silliest issue of whether to slap nanny-state rules on the "menace" of bottled water. When is consumer choice, convenience and good hydration a menace?
Mr. Milbank said that the lawmakers suggested that bottled water is of lesser quality than tap water, and that we need more regulation. As Food and Drug Administration officials pointed out at the hearing, that isn't the case.
In addition to meeting stringent FDA standards that mirror tap water standards from the Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA applies standards for food safety and sanitary packaging. And the container prevents contamination during delivery, unlike tap water, which can be contaminated in the pipes.
While both kinds of water are relatively safe, tap water has more health-related incidents by factors in the tens of thousands. Not surprisingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends bottled water for people with compromised immune systems.
ANGELA LOGOMASINI
Director of Risk and
Environmental Policy
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Washington
