Natural mineral water : “Natural mineral water” is a name which designates a category ofwater sold in bottle. It is defined by a certain number of characteristics according to the regulations. Generally speaking, natural mineral water must have an underground or geological origin and a stable chemical composition, and must not undergo any chemical treatment. In France, the operation and packaging of a mineral water source requires specific administrative authorizations.
Mineral water is water of underground origin, exploited with the authorization of the Ministry of Health, after advice from the Academy of Medicine, having a minimum content of trace elements or other constituents in mineral salts good for health, and whose qualities are preserved by bottling at the source. In addition, it must not have been altered by a treatment that has modified its characteristics, and only aeration, oxygenation, decantation and filtration are authorized.
Mineral waters, which often come from mountainous areas (in France, mainly the Rhône-Alpes and Auvergne regions), are either still (naturally free or cleared of any carbon dioxide, which is specified on thethe shipping label), either naturally gaseous or re-gasified (by adding pure gases, which is also mentioned).
Natural mineral waters are increasingly appreciated in meal and, when they are sparkling, To the aperitif. Some have high levels of mineral elements (bicarbonates, sulphates, calcium, magnesium, fluorine) ; They therefore have very specific medicinal indications but also contraindications mentioned on the labels. The most lightly mineralized mineral waters are recommended for preparing baby bottles. In Europe, the main consumers are Italy (around 200 liters per year per inhabitant), France (150 liters), Belgium (145 liters) and Germany (130 liters).
In Europe, natural mineral waters are defined by European Directive 80/777 of July 15, 1980, transposed into the national law of each country. The European Commission publishes in the Official Journal of the European Union the list of natural mineral waters recognized as such by the Member States. In April 2018, France recognized 82 natural mineral waters on its territory, compared to 30 for Belgium, 25 for Bulgaria or 342 for Italy.
In France or Tunisia, it is characterized in addition to an underground origin, by therapeutic qualities, which must be recognized by the Academy of Medicine. In Switzerland this quality is not obligatory. The content of mineral salts, on its own, does not define mineral water.
In the United States of America, “mineral water must contain at least 240 ppm of dry residue and originate from a geologically and physically protected underground source. Mineral water must have constant rates and relative proportions in mineral salts and trace elements at the source. No mineral should be added.
In Canada, mineral water must contain at least 500 ppm of dissolved minerals. Below is spring water.
We can therefore note that in North America, certain French natural mineral waters cannot obtain the mineral water designation (case of Volvic water).
Many natural mineral waters are used in the form of thermal cures. But it is mainly in the form of water sold in bottles that they are used today.
Definition: Not all bottled waters are natural mineral waters.
In France, drinking water intended for human consumption has various names:
– Table water is of the same nature as tap water, but it is sold in bottles. They may have undergone specific treatment.
– Spring water is water of underground origin, having benefited from protection against pollution, and having undergone neither chemical treatment nor addition. It must therefore be naturally compliant. It must meet drinkability criteria (which is not necessarily the case for natural mineral water).
– Natural mineral water (orally abbreviated as mineral water) is water of underground origin, protected from all pollution. Its chemical characteristics must be stable. It must be such as to provide, in certain cases, its health-promoting properties.
These 3 qualities can be sold in bottles:
Natural mineral waters are therefore characterized:
– by the notion of hydromineral deposit (deep water table protected by the nature of the surrounding geological layers).
– by the stability of their mineral composition.
– by their original purity: they cannot contain compounds of anthropogenic origin (linked to human activities).
– they do not undergo any chemical disinfection treatment.
Types of mineral water: Mineral waters often have high magnesium contents and generally low nitrate contents. Their calcium hardness varies greatly; their interest comes from the presence of rarer substances such as fluorine or trace elements.
Apart from very lightly mineralized waters (such as that of Volvic which, in fact, is more of a spring water, and this is also how it is authorized in the United States of America), there are mainly five mineral water categories:
– Bicarbonate waters: good for treating liver and intestinal conditions;
– Sulfated waters: good for treating kidney and skin conditions (burns, eczema, scars);
– Sulfuric waters: good for the mucous membranes and for respiratory ailments;
– Chlorinated water: good for growth processes;
– Oligometallic waters: good for rheumatism and neurological conditions.
Limits on consumption: In 2006, faced with the soaring consumption of mineral water, the Academy of Medicine recalled that “several mineral waters, however, have a composition such that they should not be offered as a drinking drink. current consumption »9. If Volvic water only has 11,5 mg/L of calcium (0,46 mg/L for the least rich in calcium "Queen's dew"), the richest has 596 mg/L of calcium " Talians” offered by Danone 10. And excess calcium (daily recommendation of 700 mg to 1 mg depending on age) can lead to hypercalcemia leading to the appearance of kidney or gallstones. The dry residues at 200°C are 180 mg/L for the least mineralized and 18,1 mg/L for the most mineralized.
If drinking water regulations were applied to mineral waters, many waters would not comply and would therefore be qualified as “non-potable”.
It is not necessarily drinkable in the regulatory sense (we could not distribute it from the tap). In fact, it contains mineral substances in quantities that are too large to be used as an exclusive drink. Mineral waters are therefore subject to specific authorizations, after analysis of their therapeutic effects.
Certain mineral waters do not meet the potability criteria (in 1995, out of 74 mineral waters analyzed by the National Public Health Network, 24 exceeded arsenic levels of 10 µg/L, i.e. the potability criterion for tap water, 4 exceeded 50 µg/L, and 2 more than 100 µg/L.).
Check Still water et Sparkling water.