FSANZ invites submissions on chemical levels in bottled water

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on an application relating to World Health Organization (WHO) limits for chemicals in packaged water in the Food Standards Code.

The application has been made by the Australasian Bottled Water Institute and seeks to adopt limits set by WHO in its Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.

Steve McCutcheon, CEO of FSANZ, said adopting WHO limits would increase the number of chemicals that have limits and would bring Australian and New Zealand requirements for packaged water into line with international standards.

“FSANZ is recommending adopting the WHO limits, with two exceptions,” McCutcheon said. “We are recommending maintaining the current lower limit for fluoride in packaged water and a marginally higher limit for styrene, which is used as a processing aid in packaged water.”

McCutcheon said WHO and FSANZ safety assessments for fluoride and styrene have been taken into account.

“We welcome comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on this report,” McCutcheon said.

Submissions close on 13 September. Submissions can be lodged online or via email.