Peak and trough bodies
15-Nov-2005On Radio National this morning I discovered that there exists an Australasian Bottled Water Institute Inc.
While half-awake, I had a double-whammy of absurdity as I listened to someone from that peak body testifying at an inquiry into the relationship between tooth decay and bottled water.
I understand there are potentially serious public health issues, but I was really sympathising with the ABWI representative when he asked if water bottlers would be required to put laxatives in their products if NSW had a problem with constipation.
I was only half awake, so I’m not sure who was holding the hearings (it might have been the NSW Parliament), who was speaking, or why. I’ll see if AM has transcripts up later.
Update: The person I heard was (*ahem*) Tony Gentile, head of the ABWI. And the quote was:
“We don’t believe that our beverages should be used as medicine, they are refreshment beverages. If you believe that the vast majority of the NSW population is constipated, would you get us to add a laxative to the water?” he said.
Spurious, but funny.
It still doesn’t change the fact that drinking tap water = teeth.
True, and as my dentist used to say, “You only have to brush the ones you want to keep.”