Sippin' on Controversy: These Four Mineral Waters Under Fire
Insufficient: These Four Mineral Waters
Hey there! Let's talk about the H2O that's been causing a stir in Deutschland recently. As the taste for beer takes a hit, more folks are grabbing mineral water - let's hope it's worth the extra dough! But, beware, not all of these drinks are as pure as they claim to be.
According to a recent Eco-Test, our dear mineral and spring waters have seen a whopping 900% increase in consumption over the past 50 years. With over 500 recognized mineral springs in Germany, there's plenty of choices, from still to sparkling, depending on your preference.
So, Eco-Test scrutinized 53 still mineral waters from all across the land, hoping to quench your thirst for the truth. Price-wise, these picked products ranged from a penny under 2 euros to just over 1 euro per liter, with the average cost of tap water in Germany standing at around 0.4 to 0.5 euro cents per liter.
Nitrate, Chromium, PFA – Oh My!
After getting lab-analyzed for heavy metals, nitrates, pesticide metabolites, sweeteners, PFAS, and other contaminants, the results were... less than stellar. Out of 53 tested waters, 21 contained harmful substances like chromium(VI) or arsenic, which could seep from soil or originated from human-made sources like pesticides.
But here's the kicker: The laboratory discovered the PFAS compound trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in multiple waters. TFA belongs to the per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals." Worryingly, seven waters' TFA levels alone surpassed the maximum allowable amount of PFAS in water for human consumption that EU member states are expected to comply with by January 12, 2026. Although the measured levels don't pose a direct health risk, TFA has been assessed by several German authorities as persistent, toxic, and mobile in the environment.
Four waters were rated as "inadequate." Among them, the "Good & Cheap Natural Mineral Water Still" from Edeka, the "Naturalis Natural Mineral Water Still" from Netto, and the "Fresh Breeze Reinbeker Klosterquelle without Carbonic Acid" failed the test. In these products, the lab uncovered "strongly increased" total germ counts that exceeded the limits set by the Mineral and Table Water Regulation.
On the flip side, the "K-Classic Natural Mineral Water Still" from Kaufland and the "Saskia Natural Mineral Water Still" from Lidl were championed as "very good." Both can be yours for a steal at just 0.19 euros per liter!
Source: ntv.de, awi
- Drinking Water
- Tests
- Food
- Consumer Reports
- Food Industry
- Environmental Impact
- Water Quality
- PFAS Contamination
- It's crucial for the community to implement a policy that ensures small and medium-sized undertakings in the food-and-drink industry adhere to strict standards for water quality, particularly in the health-and-wellness sector that focuses on both nutrition and lifestyle.
- This scrutiny follows recent consumer reports revealing contamination of various mineral waters with harmful substances like chromium(VI), arsenic, and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), highlighting the need for science-based regulation in the food industry.
- With the increasing environmental impact of PFAS contamination, there is a growing need for small and medium-sized undertakings to prioritize nutrition, health-and-wellness, and the use of safe and sustainable food and drink products in their operations.
