EU Food Standards Authority ridiculed over latest water directive
European scientists have been ridiculed for a series of bizarre edicts to the continents bottled water manufacturers, banning them from claiming that water can prevent dehydration.
Instead the boffins have declared that water can keep you cool and healthy, seeding confusion and anger in industry.
The European Food Standards Authority believe they have sufficient evidence to prove that water can help regulate temperature and help the body carry out physical and mental tasks.
Bottled water brands will now be authorised to make both claims on their packaging – but not, bizarrely, that water can prevent dehydration.
Several companies, including Highland Spring, have already said they are prepared to flout the “ridiculous” directive.
A spokesman for the British Soft Drinks Association said: "The rejection published last week was founded on a technicality in one particular application, not on the underlying science.
"But claims have been approved outlining that drinking water is good for normal physical and cognitive functions and for normal thermoregulation [temperature control]. We await final confirmation from the European Commission on this, which is expected soon."