Water on its way out

When it comes to food trends, the state of New York is what is known as an early adopter. It was one of the first states to enact a smoking ban. Recently, it passed a law that chain restaurants had to post calories on their menus, an idea that’s already spread to places like California and Indiana.

Now Gov. David Patterson has signed an executive order banning bottled water. It’s not a ban for the entire state, just for state facilities. Patterson doesn’t want the government spending its money on what he said was water “no purer than tap” that causes “a host of equity and environmental problems.” New York’s billion-dollar budget deficit probably has something to do with it as well.

Environmental groups are taking this as a sign that bottled water’s days are numbered. Food and Water Watch (home of the hit game Global Grocer) said it’s thrilled about the decision. It mirrors the group’s “Take Back the Tap” Campaign, which is trying to make restaurants voluntarily give up bottled water.

At the rate laws are being made in New York, soon restaurants might not have a choice.