Natural mineral water with pollutants

When „Naturally“ designated mineral water may contain pollutants such as degradation products of plant protection products

08/02/2013

„natural“ Mineral water may contain pollutants. This was decided by the Administrative Court of Baden-Württemberg. Accordingly, beutet „Naturally“ under no circumstances „absolutely pure“, so that „natural“ Mineral water may contain degradation products of pesticides, as long as there is no danger to human health. The verdict reserves five sources of mineral water a permit that failed the state of Baden-Württemberg initially due to the pollution. A revision against the judgment was not admitted.

So far no legal limit values ​​for pollutants in „natural“ Mineral water
As the Administrative Court (VGH) Baden-Württemberg judged, the bid demands „original purity“ the nationwide mineral and table water regulation „no absolute absence of pollutants“. The state of Baden-Württemberg had previously failed five mineral water sources for further approval, because degradation products of pesticides had been detected in the water. The VGH interpreted the refusal of admission as a violation of professional freedom. So far, there are no limits in the mineral water regulation. In addition, the pollutants should not be harmful to health.

For quality requirements, which go hand in hand with such an interference in the occupational freedom, a legal basis is necessary, so the VGH. However, the Land Baden-Wuerttemberg only used a value from an administrative regulation of the authorities according to which a value of 0.05 micrograms per liter of water had been established for plant protection products and pharmaceuticals. This internal regulation does not replace any law.

A revocation of the authorization for the mineral water sources would have threatened damage to the general public, the state or important goods of the community, according to the VGH. That had not been the case in the case of the five sources of mineral water concerned. Neither health nor consumer protection required absolutely pure „natural“ Mineral water.

The state of Baden-Württemberg can now file a complaint with the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig and, moreover, influence the federal government to include corresponding limit values ​​in the mineral water ordinance.

Carcinogenic substances in mineral water
For consumers, the verdict of the VGH has a pale aftertaste. Residues of pesticides in drinking water - but not hazardous to health? Even Stiftung Warentest advises consumers to drink tap water instead of still mineral water.

In April this year, consumer advocates examined 25 different fruit-flavored mineral waters. Again, it turned out that some unwanted and even harmful substances were included in the samples. For one thing, the taste was not convincing, because the products, for example, with „apple flavor“ had been advertised, but only included art aromas. Ultimately, not a single tasted bottled mineral water received the grade „Well“, but five were with „inadequate“ rated.

In addition, a high sugar content is often contained in the waters, reported the consumer advocates. This affected mainly strawberry-flavored drinks, which contained around 70 grams of sugar in 1.5 liters. That's roughly the equivalent of 23 pieces of sugar cubes.

The most worrying, however, was another finding. Benzene, a carcinogenic substance, according to Stiftung Warentest was found in three beverages with cherry flavor. (Ag)

Picture: Lupo