New FDA Steps to Prevent Bacterial Contamination in Bottled Water Good, But Not Good Enough

Contact: Kate Fried (202) 683-2500

New FDA Steps to Prevent Bacterial Contamination in Bottled Water Good, But Not Good Enough

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director
Wenonah Hauter

Washington, D.C.–This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is amending its bottled water regulations to implement stricter standards regarding the testing of bottled water for the e.coli bacteria.  Although Food & Water Watch supports FDA‚ move to protect the public from e.coli, this amendment is not enough. Despite the issuance of this rule, FDA still does not require bottled water to be tested once it has been bottled. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains strict standards for ensuring the safety of tap water, FDA has been less stringent in its oversight of the bottled water industry.

“Currently, FDA has less than one full-time employee devoted to bottled water oversight. FDA requires that companies test for bacterial contamination in water only once per week, and they must test only four empty bottles once every three months for bacterial contamination. When it comes to chemical, physical, or radiological contaminants, a sample of water must be checked only once a year. Meanwhile, EPA requires that water systems serving more than one million residents test 300 water samples per month, while utilities serving three million people or more must collect and test 480 samples monthly, far more than the once-a-week test for bottled water.

“While this latest rule-change is a step in the right direction, FDA could do more to protect consumers against bacterial contamination and its health hazards. FDA needs to increase its staffing for oversight of bottled water while continuing to work to bring regulations in line with EPA’s tap water regulations.”