SOME REFLECTIONS ON BOTTLED WATER
"FLUORIDE ADDED: MIX WITH FORMULA, JUICE AND CEREAL"
Last week, while visiting family in Florida, I found myself standing in the water aisle of a Publix store. Publix, for those unfamiliar with the name, is a highly successful employee-owned supermarket chain little known outside of the southeast. We had gone there to purchase drinking water for my brother-in-law, whose well water leaves much to be desired in taste. What first caught my eye, however, was fluoridated Nursery Water in gallon containers, which is larger than my local HEB carries. The label is larger too, and,for the first time I noticed, clear as day, next to the image of a bright-eyed infant, the words, “mix with formula, juice and cereal.” This, three and a half years after the American Dental Association and CDC warned specifically against mixing fluoridated water with baby formula.
At the time they issued their advisory—directly following the National Research Council’s damning 2006 indictment of fluoride toxicity—both ADA and CDC named dental fluorosis as the only undesirable effect, simultaneously dismissing the damage as “only” cosmetic. Even if that were true, the damage would still be legally actionable based on psychological harm, and the fact that both alphabet soup entities chose to cover themselves in that way suggests they are well aware of the lawsuit potential. Indeed, there is currently a class action suit against Nursery Water (“since 1948"!) in progress—one can only hope the first of many legal actions of the kind that have made asbestos and leaded gasoline history. A petition to Wal Mart to cease selling Nursery Water is here.
Not long ago Linda Greene of Fluoride Free Austin paid a visit to HEB to alert them to the facts about fluoridated baby water (of which they sell at least two brands). The salesclerk readily agreed that fluoride in water is a bad thing, said that she herself doesn’t drink it or let her children drink it. But she expressed resignation about her superiors’ attitude toward the information.
“They’ll probably never pull it unless the FDA bans it or something,” she said.
Back to Publix.
"OZONATED - PURIFIED BY REVERSE OSMOSIS"
My brother-in-law made a beeline for the section where rows upon rows of the chain's private label purified water lined the shelves. I noticed that there were two versions of it. One carries the information "ozonated" and "purified by reverse osmosis." The other bears the legend "from a fluoridated municipal water source" and says nothing about reverse osmosis or ozonation.
Voila! Publix has identified two large market segments and is catering to both: the folks who want just "pure" water and those who want their pure water specifically without fluoride. The two types were displayed in approximately equal quantities and I felt a surge of optimism. Despite the barrage of pro-fluoride propaganda on all sides, people from all walks of life are waking up, finding out, informing themselves. And they've learned to associate reverse osmosis with fluoride removal. Jimmy chose the fluoride free variety, and he's not an educated man. But neither is he a fool.
Two months ago, I wrote about "Take Back the Tap," an odious anti-bottled water campaign embraced well-meaningly but ignorantly by people like former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower who think Federal control of all municipal water systems would be wonderful. They haven't got a prayer, though -- not the way bottled water is flying off the shelves of Publix in Florida and Staples in Texas.
I think it's this stampede away from city water that's responsible for the recent frenzied attempts by legislators in several states -- including New Jersey, California and Louisiana -- to force universal water fluoridation on an increasingly resistant public. They know people catching on and they want to put their scheme quietly in place before the budding groundswell of opposition has a chance to gather momentum. We are bound to oppose them at every turn, and the battle will be a most interesting one. .
Posted by M. Rae Nadler-Olenick at 3/31/2010 1:04 AM 
Categories: health wellness environment
Tags: fluoride water fluoridation austin infant formula toxin fluorosis follies
Categories: health wellness environment
Tags: fluoride water fluoridation austin infant formula toxin fluorosis follies
Yesterday I discovered that Gerber is doing what's best for our children by selling a fluoride-free bottled water specifically to be mixed with infant formula. Gerber "calls out" their rival Nursery Water for doing the opposite.
We need to spread the word to new Moms that Gerber's is better.
"GERBER PURE is a fluoride free choice—because babies less than 6 months don’t need fluoride.
http://www.gerber.com/AllStages/Products/Pure_Water.aspx
Stay away from Beech-nut, which is still capitalizing on consumers' fluoride ignorance, and sells fluoridated bottled water too with this message:
"Beech-Nut Bottled Water with added fluoride is an ideal water to use for mixing your baby's formula. In fact, you can start using it the very first day you bring your baby home."
http://www.beechnut.com/Feeding%20by%20Age/Article.asp?type=107&sub=&art=107
Corporations monitor their brands over the internet and how consumers view their products. So it might be a good idea to share this information on internet message boards, discussion groups, etc.
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I first contacted Publix Public relations over 4 years ago on this issue before the Nov 9 2006 infant formula Egram to dentists and the CDC following suit. The FDA also stated no claim of benefit could be made for infants 12 months and younger for F water (bottled)but could for older.
In a series of responses they ended up claiming they only put it on the shelf and the experts like beachnut were the ones claiming it a safe product not Public.
When the 2006 ADA Egram came out I naturally went back and gave them the new update.
When the Petition against walmart started I dropped the petition and off at all Public stores with the manager in my area. Also other chains and stores selling the product. Winn Dixie actually sold three fluoridated water products aimed at kids.
Publix actually sells a 8 1/2 Oz infant aimed fluoridated house brand spring water. The warning as I recall is to first consult your dentist before using this product. My thought this is deceptive and actually increases liability as it implies dentists are qualified and the only issue is oral cavity. Naturally I shared this belief with Publix of the misdirection and dentists not being qualified by regulation or training to determine safety or diagnosis whole body effects.
I actually broke bread with the Public family at Disney as a niece married into the family and the wedding was 2 years ago Dec 30 2008. I considered it improper to discuss the issue as a guest and only briefly talked to the Barnett and Jenkins clan from Lakeland Fl.
I believe there is a Nursery water settlement where they give out free coupons and anyone using loses the right to litigate for any damage caused. This was for up to someting like 3 million coupons for almost 5 million total value. Mear peanuts to have someone sign off for thousands of dollars or more of damage potential. They would then change the claim to meet the law. The coupon could be used for F water also. This stinks at best. Hope the attorneys made out ok as no one else except the water company does.
The FTC turned it back on enforcement of the law. False claims were allowed and still are. FDA also.
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Daytona Beach Fl Gerber Pure is in Target and Winn Dixie chain. Win Dixie also has a house brand fluoridated water for infants called Kiddle in gal. all three were in a row on the baby isle. The manager in charge got in my face for the first time ever doing this . She was a pregnate female and said Winn Dixie did not appreciate customers telling them what to do. She defended her doctor would have told her if their was a risk. She did not care what the FDa or time said. I also made up two pages from Time showing fluoridated water and toothpaste risk of neurotoxic and tumorgenic potential. I am dropping this off at city commissions and got to do a radio talk show as co host for 45 minutes as it is is a health show done locally. Naturally I mentioned the Time article and Nursery water and FDA. I did have a call in to inform me fluoridation reduces cavities. Good icebreaker.
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I read your posts everyday, you have talent in writing, cant wait for more info
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It is encouraging that demand for non-fluoridated water has grown into a large enough market to serve. Educating the public is a slow process, but progress is obviously being made. One wonders whether the budget crunches that many municipalities are facing force them to drop fluoridation as a cost cutting measure.
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That's what a lot of us are hoping for. Meanwhile, we continue to educate...
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I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
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And you have a cool site and blog!
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This fluoride controversy is difficult to explain. You would think the manufacturers would be at the forefront of safety to the consumer.
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