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1700
Diagonal Road, Suite 650
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-5213
Fax: 703-683-4074
Web: www.bottledwater.org
December
8 , 2006
Contact:
V. Tom Gardner, communications manager
International Bottled Water Association
703.683.5213 ext. 107
Bringing
Clarity to the American Dental Association's
"Interim Guidance on Fluoride Intake for Infants and
Young Children"
The
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 14, 2006
determined that bottled water producers may include the following
health claim on brands containing fluoride, "Drinking
fluoridated water may reduce the risk of [dental caries or
tooth decay]." The health claim is not intended for use
on bottled water products specifically marketed for use by
infants. FDA based its action on an authoritative statement
from an appropriate scientific body of the United States Government
or the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) or any of its subdivisions.
Bottled water is regulated as a packaged food product by FDA.
To read the full FDA statement online, visit www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flfluoro.html.
To bring clarity to this issue from the perspective of the
dental community, ADA on November 9, 2006 released an interim
guidance document on the use of fluoridated bottled water.
The "Interim Guidance on Fluoride Intake for Infants
and Young Children" clearly did not advise against
the use of bottled water containing fluoride. It recommended
that consumers who choose to feed infants using liquid concentrate
or powdered infant formula and wish to use bottled water select
a brand that is "fluoride free or contains low levels
of fluoride." This guidance was offered for parents of
infants-defined as children ages 12 months and younger-and
did not advise against serving bottled water with fluoride
to children older than one year. ADA also clearly stated that,
"The occasional use of water containing optimal levels
of fluoride should not appreciably increase a child's risk
for fluorosis."
Key information contained in the ADA guidance document states:
- Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete
form of nutrition for infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends human milk for all infants (except for the few
for whom breastfeeding is determined to be harmful).
- For infants who get most of their nutrition from formula
during the first 12 months, ready-to-feed formula is preferred
to help ensure that infants do not exceed the optimal amount
of fluoride intake.
- If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the
primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water
that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride
to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that
is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled
or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell
these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon.
- More research is needed before definitive recommendations
can be made on fluoride intake by bottle-fed infants.
- Enamel fluorosis is not a disease but rather affects the
way that teeth look.
- The occasional use of water containing optimal levels
of fluoride should not appreciably increase a child's risk
for fluorosis."
To read the ADA Interim Guidance on Infant Formula and Fluoride
in its entirety, log onto: www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp.
IBWA supports FDA's decision to permit bottled water to carry
health information related to fluoride so that consumers can
make informed decisions about their bottled water-and drinking
water-choices. For consumers who want fluoride in their drinking
water and want to choose bottled water, the FDA decision on
fluoride labeling allows bottlers to inform consumers about
certain healthful attributes of that specific brand. However,
not all consumers wish to drink water with fluoride or get
their fluoride from other sources.
IBWA encourages consumers to consider the following facts
about bottled water and fluoride:
- The bottled water industry provides consumers with a wide
range of choices based on their specific needs. As a result,
bottled water is available in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated
brands. A number of IBWA-member companies produce fluoridated
bottled water, visit the IBWA web site at www.bottledwater.org/public/fluorida.htm.
For a full list of IBWA member brands, visit www.bottledwater.org.
- There are many sources of fluoride, and the amount of
fluoride exposure varies greatly by community and individual.
Consumers should consider how much fluoride they are receiving
as part of their overall diet and consult with their dental
or health care provider for their recommendation.
For more facts about bottled water regulations, safety, fluoride
and other bottled water topics, visit www.bottledwater.org.
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