This Could Be a Blessing In Disguise:
Why am I saying that?
Because phosphate-free DW detergents are, at the present state of the art, not consistently giving the squeaky-clean, sanitary results older formulas did.
Which makes me wonder: How long before phosphate-free commercial DW detergent contributes to an outbreak of illness? While the best of them can deliver an acceptable result if used properly, "properly" isn't in the vocabulary of a lot of downscale diners and hash houses. They want a cheap product, they turn it over to an employee who is often a "hire of last resort," and they expect clean in return.
Phosphated, chlorinated detergents could do that consistently. I don't know if non-phosphated detergents can under less-than-perfect conditions.
The unfortunate part is that something bad will have to happen to force a second look at this knee-jerk phosphate ban. But I for one am willing to bet events will unfold that way. Human nature will see to it.
And that is the blessing in disguise: If these new detergents contribute to an epidemic or substantial outbreak of something, phosphates and chlorine may have to come back, to begin assuring public health once again. Some tree-huggers won't believe this until forced to, but there actually are worse problems than phosphate-nourished algae in our waterways - you know, like sick people and dead people.
