Oeko-Test Snubs These Four Mineral Waters: "Inadequate" Rated
Insufficient: The Analysis of These Four Mineral Waters Reveals Subpar Quality
Cleansed, thirsty Germans are turning to mineral water in droves, a trend that's been escalating for decades. With countless mineral springs spanning the nation and hundreds of mineral waters on the market, one needn't be parched for choice.
Pro Tips Revisiting 54: Classic-Zisch Marked "Defective" By Oeko-Test, a renowned consumer organization, 53 still mineral waters were purchased from various regions, preferably in eco-friendly, reusable glass containers. Among these was a smattering of organic and baby-friendly labeled samples, priced between a dime and a buck twenty-three per liter - a pretty penny compared to tap water's meager cents.
Toxic Ingredients Aplenty
In the lab, each water was screened for heavy metals, nitrate, chromium(VI), benzene, pesticide residues, sweeteners, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and separated tests for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a PFAS compound. A rigorous microbiological examination was also conducted. Infants and organic waters received extra scrutiny, undergoing additional testing for nitrite, fluoride, sulfate, sodium, radionuclides, and no violations warranting a bad report. The evaluators adhered to the limits set by the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance; mineral waters for baby formula face even stricter regulations.
Many of the evaluated waters cannot boast purity claims: twenty-one products harbored dangerous substances like chromium(VI) or arsenic, which can naturally occur in soil but also stem from human-made sources like pesticides.
The lab uncovered TFA in numerous waters. TFA is a type of PFAS, infamously coined "forever chemicals." In seven waters, the TFA content alone surpassed the legal maximum for PFAS in drinking water, a compliance deadline slated for January 12, 2026 for EU member states. Despite no immediate health hazard attributed to the measured levels, TFA remains a contentious issue. Recently, several German authorities, such as the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the Federal Environment Agency, have designated TFA as highly persistent, toxic, and mobile in the environment.
In the Red Zone
Get the Dirt on Flavor Impact How long do opened mineral water bottles last? Four waters failed to meet Oeko-Test's standards, earning a "inadequate" rating. In this group, increased chromium and TFA values landed the "Good & Cheap Natural Mineral Water Still" from Edeka and the "Naturalis Natural Mineral Water Still" from Netto in the hot seat. Likewise, the "Fresh Breeze Reinbeker Klosterquelle without Carbonic Acid" showed "elevated" total germ counts that breached the limits prescribed by the Mineral and Table Water Regulation.
Waters shining as "very good" options include the "K- Classic Natural Mineral Water Still" from Kaufland and "Saskia Natural Mineral Water Still" from Lidl, both available at an attractive 19 cents per liter.
Source: ntv.de, awi
- Drinking Water
- Tests
- Consumers
- Food
- Food Industry
- Öko-Test
- In the evaluation of various small and medium-sized undertakings in the health-and-wellness sector, such as mineral water manufacturers, Oeko-Test, a well-known consumer organization, conducted rigorous tests to ensure the health safety of their products.
- The science behind food safety and the well-being of consumers is of utmost importance to small and medium-sized undertakings in the fitness-and-exercise and nutrition industries, as demonstrated by their adherence to the strict regulations set by organizations like Oeko-Test.
