There is little doubt that consumer safety is one of the main priorities of all food establishments. The FDA and health inspectors make sure of that.

But to what ends do such establishments go when the concern for sanitation starts to intersect with the concern for impending conservation and economic issues? Why are changes not being made to ensure that neither of these important factors in today’s society are sacrificed?

Our concern is focused mainly on the use of “dipper wells” at establishments such as coffee shops and KFC. The wells are essentially sinks that are constantly emptying as they’re being re-filled. They hold spoons and stirrers, and their primary purpose is to keep such utensils clean.

This seems grossly inefficient. A sink running all day to maintain sanitation?

A recent Iowa State Daily article about the issue quoted a prepared statement by Amy Lemen, regional marketing manager with Starbucks Coffee Company.

She said that the challenge with the use of the dipper well “is to balance our need to continually address water conservation with the importance of meeting requirements for our customers’ safety.”

She also said that that Starbucks is “actively working to find an alternative solution.”

Since the article also quoted Kevin Anderson, Ames’ city sanitarian saying he hadn’t seen any alternative to dipping wells in his 31 years, we should only hope that Starbucks and other coffee shops are, indeed, looking for an alternative.

It would seem as though, with the U.S. economy in the state it’s in, and Starbucks closing about 600 of their stores nationwide, a more economic approach than a full day of running water would be actively sought.

Not to mention that water might be a resource we’d like to conserve.

Such shops are also under the restraint of the FDA, as the 2005 Food Code requires the use of dipper wells for the overall sanitation of utensils used for dairy products and other “moist foods.”

Though the mandate’s goal — to keep consumers safe — is a good one, we can’t help but feel like there’s likely more progressive means that the FDA, perhaps in partnership with companies largely affected, such as KFC and Starbucks, can obtain.

The wells have been in use for decades, and in an era of economic instability and increased environmental awareness, it doesn’t seem like a luxury society can afford.

We encourage all companies to take some innovative steps to start making more efficient and conservative business decisions while complying with industry standards.