TOOTH-protecting fluoride could be added to Australian bottled water within 12 months.

Bottled water set to get some teeth
By Evonne BarryMarch 23, 2008 02:00am
TOOTH-protecting fluoride could be added to Australian bottled water within 12 months.
The national food regulator will consider overturning a ban on mineral additives after this week releasing an "assessment report" on the controversial proposal.
The Australian Beverages Council has asked Food Standards Australia for permission to add fluoride to bottled water and water coolers.
If allowed, manufacturers could offer consumers a choice between fluoridated and non-fluoridated water.
Fluoride has been added to Melbourne's tap water for more than 30 years, which the Australian Dental Association credits with a steady decrease in tooth decay.
However, the popularity of bottled water - Australians spent more than $627 million drinking it last year - has since been blamed for a reversal of this trend.
Tony Gentile, executive director of the Australian Bottled Water Institute, said it was about offering alternatives.
"There is a huge area of regional Australia that doesn't have access to fluoridated water, and we want to give people the option.
"For every (manufacturer) who advertises the fact their water has fluoride, I'm sure there will be another advertising that their bottles don't," he said.
Anti-fluoridation groups have thrown their support behind the plan, claiming it could stop campaigns to fluoridate tap water.
Philip Robertson from Water Quality Australia, which protests against tap fluoridation, supports the proposal.
"We have got no problem at all with fluoridated bottled water because it allows people an option," he said.
Public submissions on the bottled water proposal are open until April 30.