Bottled Water Fda Safety And Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable Epa Protections For Tap Water

Over the past decade, per capita consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled. With this increase have come several concerns in recent years about the safety, quality, and environmental impacts of bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water as a food and is responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported bottled water is safe and truthfully labeled. This report: (1) evaluated the extent to which FDA regulates and ensures the quality and safety of bottled water; (2) evaluated the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels and claims regarding the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) identified the environmental and other impacts of bottled water. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

Over the past decade, the consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has more than doubled -- from 13 gall./person in 1997 to 29 gall./person in 2007. With this increase have come several concerns over bottled water's quality and safety. For ex., bottled water does not necessarily have lower levels of contamination than tap water. Several org. have raised concerns about a low recycling rate for plastic water bottles. This testimony addresses three issues: (1) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the quality of bottled water to ensure its safety; (2) the extent to which fed. and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels or claims re: the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) the environmental impacts of bottled water.

Over the past decade, per capita consumption of bottled water in the United States has more than doubled. With this increase have come several concerns in recent years about the safety, quality, and environmental impacts of bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as a food and is responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported bottled water is safe and truthfully labeled. Among other things, GAO (1) evaluated the extent to which FDA regulates and ensures the quality and safety of bottled water; (2) evaluated the extent to which federal and state authorities regulate the accuracy of labels and claims regarding the purity and source of bottled water; and (3) identified the environmental and other impacts of bottled water. GAO reviewed FDA data, reports, and requirements for bottled water; conducted a state survey of all 50 states and the District of Columbia; reviewed bottled water labels; and interviewed FDA officials and key experts.

Bottled Water: FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water

This three-volume encyclopedia explores the evolution of green ideology and eco-friendly practices in contemporary American culture, ranging from the creation of regional and national guidelines for green living to the publication of an increasing number of environmental blogs written from the layperson's perspective. Evidence of humanity's detrimental impact on the environment is mounting. As Americans, we are confronted daily with news stories, blogs, and social media commentary about the necessity of practicing green behaviors to offset environmental damage. This essential reference is a fascinating review of the issues surrounding green living, including the impact of this lifestyle on Americans' time and money, the information needed to adhere to green principles in the 21st century, and case studies and examples of successful implementation. America Goes Green: An Encyclopedia of Eco-Friendly Culture in the United States examines this gripping topic through 3 volumes organized by A–Z entries across 11 themes; state-by-state essays grouped by region; and references including primary source documents, bibliography, glossary, and green resources. This timely encyclopedia explores the development of an eco-friendly culture in America, and entries present the debates, viewpoints, and challenges of green living.

Reviews the FDA¿s strategic planning and mgmt. Leading practices in this area include developing strategies to address mgmt. challenges and results-oriented performance measures, aligning activities and resources to strategic goals, and enhancing the use of performance info. The report examined the extent to which: (1) FDA's Strategic Action Plan contains strategies to address its mgmt. challenges, and the progress FDA has reported in addressing those challenges; (2) FDA's annual performance measures are results-oriented; (3) FDA has aligned its activities and resources to support its strategic goals; and (4) FDA managers report using performance info. in decision making and applying key practices to encourage that use. Illustrations.