According to existing food safety rules, every restaurant and hotel must provide customers with safe and clean drinking water free of cost.
The FDA has now clarified that restaurants should not ask customers to choose between bottled water and regular water at the beginning of their meal.
Doing so may make customers feel they have to buy packaged water, even when free drinking water is available.
However, bottled water can still be sold if the customer specifically asks for it.
Why Has the FDA Issued This Order?
The decision comes after complaints that some restaurants were encouraging customers to buy bottled water without informing them that free drinking water was their right.
In many cases, customers believed bottled water was the default option and ended up paying extra without realizing they could ask for free drinking water.
The FDA hopes the new rule will prevent unnecessary expenses and make customers more aware of their rights.
What Will Change for Restaurants?
Restaurants and hotels may now need to change the way they serve customers.
Staff will have to follow the new guidelines and avoid asking customers if they want packaged water.
Instead, free drinking water should be made available, while bottled water should only be provided when requested.
This change is expected to reduce confusion and help ensure fair billing practices.
Part of the FDA’s Consumer Protection Drive
The latest directive is part of a broader effort by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to improve food safety, transparency, and consumer protection.
In recent months, the FDA has introduced several measures to strengthen food quality standards, reduce food adulteration, and ensure businesses follow consumer-friendly practices.
The new rule is expected to make dining experiences more transparent while helping customers avoid unnecessary charges for drinking water.
