Trendy raw water can be dangerous
A recent trend for consumers to purchase and drink raw, untreated water may be leading to illnesses from the bacteria, viruses, and parasite contained in that water. Raw water is being promoted as more natural than that which can be found in the tap or in treated bottled water. In fact, raw water itself is being bottled and sold, often for extremely high prices.
Unfortunately, the consumer may pay a higher price after drinking significant quantities of the raw water as it may lead to intestinal issues such as diarrhea. There are no food safety procedures followed in the bottling of raw water. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the processing and bottling of water that has passed certain safety standards, there is no such regulation for raw water.
Raw water is often compared to natural spring water, with no additives such as those found in tap water or regulated bottle water. However, the water found in nature may have also had other visitors, in the form of animals that roam through the woods and forests. They may drink from the stream, wash themselves in that same water, and even relieve themselves there.
The raw water may even have groundwater contamination from naturally occurring elements such as arsenic, radon or uranium, or from pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. When consumers drink that raw water, they are imbibing untreated, unfiltered, and untested water. While that has been touted as a benefit, it can actually be a detriment to consumers’ health.
The water treatment process that is regulated by the FDA is intended to remove harmful bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella and giardia, a common parasite that causes a diarrheal illness called giardiasis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that giardiasis can be contracted by drinking untreated or improperly treated water from lakes, streams, or wells.
For more information about raw water and food safety, please contact the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901.
