Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a report for public comment that proposes amending the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to allow manufacturers to voluntarily add fluoride to bottled water. The addition of certain substances, such as fluoride, must undergo a pre-market safety evaluation by FSANZ before they are approved for use at specified levels.
If FSANZ approves the sale of bottled water containing added fluoride, it will be a voluntary permission. Manufacturers will be able to add fluoride or not, under the conditions of the food standard.
FSANZ welcomes submissions from interested parties, which should be in FSANZ’s hands by Tuesday 23 December 2008.
(Application A588) – Draft Assessment) – Voluntary addition of fluoride to packaged water
The Australian Beverages Council Ltd has applied for approval for the voluntary addition of fluoride, at a level of 0.6 – 1.0 milligrams per litre (total of naturally occurring and added fluoride), to packaged (bottled) water. This level equates to fluoride levels in fluoridated reticulated water supplies. The applicant claims approval would enable bottlers to offer fluoridated packaged water to consumers as an alternative to fluoridated reticulated water, or as a source of fluoride for those who do not have access to fluoridated reticulated water. FSANZ has concluded that there are no public health and safety concerns. We propose to approve the application, with the condition that the presence of added fluoride must be stated on the package label. We seek public comment on our proposed course of action.
Submissions: FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers. Details of the applications above can be found on www.foodstandards.gov.au .
Application A588 – Voluntary Addition of Fluoride to Packaged Water
Draft Assessment Report – 11 November 2008 [ word | pdf]
Draft Assessment Report – Supporting document 1 – Policy Guideline Fortification of Food with Vitamins and Minerals [ word | pdf ]
Draft Assessment Report – Supporting document 2 – [ word | pdf ]
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