CODEX STANDARD FOR NATURAL MINERAL WATERS
SCOPE
This standard applies to all packaged natural mineral waters offered for sale as food. It does not apply to natural mineral waters sold or used for other purposes.
Definition of natural mineral water
Natural mineral water is a water clearly distinguishable from ordinary drinking water because:
a) it is characterized by its content of certain mineral salts and their relative proportions and the presence of trace elements or of other constituents;
b) it is obtained directly from natural or drilled sources from underground water bearing strata for which all possible precautions should be taken within the protected perimeters to avoid any pollution of, or external influence on, the chemical and physical qualities of natural mineral water;
c) of the constancy of its composition and the stability of its discharge and its temperature, due account being taken of the cycles of minor natural fluctuations;
d) it is collected under conditions which guarantee the original microbiological purity and chemical composition of essential components;
e) it is packaged close to the point of emergence of the source with particular hygienic precautions;
f) it is not subjected to any treatment other than those permitted by this standard.
