Mineral water 101
What Is Mineral Water?
Mineral water is water that comes from a protected underground source and contains naturally occurring dissolved minerals. The category is legally defined — not a marketing term — and the rules differ between the United States and the European Union.
The simple definition
Mineral water is groundwater that flows from a protected aquifer or spring and reaches the bottle with its mineral content essentially unchanged. The water cannot be "made" mineral by adding salts; the minerals must come from the source rock the water passes through.
How it is regulated in the U.S.
In the United States, the FDA defines mineral water as bottled water containing at least 250 mg/L of total dissolved solids (TDS) coming from a protected underground source. No minerals may be added.
How it is regulated in the EU
The EU's Natural Mineral Waters Directive (2009/54/EC) requires the source to be officially recognized, microbiologically pure at source, bottled at source, and stable in composition. There is no TDS minimum, but the source and composition must be consistent.
What it is NOT
Mineral water is not the same as spring water, purified water, re-mineralized water, or sparkling water with added minerals. Purified water has had its minerals stripped out by reverse osmosis or distillation; even when minerals are added back, it does not qualify as mineral water under either U.S. or EU law.
Frequently asked questions
Is mineral water healthier than tap water?
Mineral waters can contribute meaningful amounts of calcium and magnesium that tap water often doesn't. Health benefits beyond that depend on the specific brand and your overall diet.
Can you make mineral water by adding minerals to purified water?
Not legally. Under both FDA and EU rules, the minerals in mineral water must come from the source itself, not be added at the bottling plant.
Instant PDF. Every major brand ranked by pH, minerals, source and taste.
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