The controversial issue of fluoridation has become a mayoral hot potato.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker claims his main rival, Jim Anderton, wants to take decisions over whether fluoride should or should not be added to the city’s water supplies, out of the hands of ratepayers and councillors.

But Anderton today fired back, saying the issue required a national debate.

He slammed Parker as “pathetic” for trying to make it a mayoral issue.

The issue was not isolated to Canterbury but one that needed a national debate, Anderton said.

Anderton appeared on a recent episode of TVNZ 7’s Backbenches show where he outlined his views on the country’s oral health standards.

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