Foreword:
People to food for the day, food for water first, drinking water safety is an important premise to protect the health of residents, at home and abroad for the safety of drinking water have certain requirements, many people have a certain misunderstanding of the strictness of domestic drinking water related standards, today Nasheng International will be through the domestic and other countries (the United States, the European Union, Japan).Hygienic standards for drinking water, packaged drinking water, and natural mineral waterA brief comparative analysis is provided for referenceIt is hoped that friends who are concerned about drinking water safety can learn more about the standards of drinking water in China.
Drink natural mineral water
(1) Terms, definitions and classifications1. China - "National Food Safety Standard for Drinking Natural Mineral Water" (GB 8537-2018).
Drink natural mineral water: Naturally gushing out from deep underground or collected by drilling, containing a certain amountminerals, trace elements, or other components, water that is not polluted in a certain area and takes precautions to avoid contamination; Under normal circumstances, its dynamic indicators such as chemical composition, flow rate, and water temperature are relatively stable within the range of natural cycle fluctuations. Drink natural mineral waterContains sparkling mineral water, aerated natural mineral water, still natural mineral water and deaerted natural mineral water
Drinking natural mineral water can be divided into different boundary indicators according to different boundary indicators:Class:Metasilicic acid mineral water, strontium mineral water, lithium mineral water, selenium mineral spring, zinc mineral spring, carbonated mineral water, salt mineral water.
2. The United States - "American Bottled Drinking Water (Bottled Drinking Water) Related Standards" (165110）
Natural mineral water is not clearly defined. U.S. natural mineral water, along with other packaged drinking water, is collectively referred to as bottled water, defined as water that is sealed in a bottle or other container, without the addition of other ingredients, except for the selective addition of safe and appropriate antimicrobial agents (such as fluoride), which are used for human consumption.
cfr21 165.110 (b) states that natural mineral water is clearly distinguished from conventional drinking water because it has four characteristics: the total dissolved solids (TDS) content in the water is not less than 250 mg L; Water coming out of one or more boreholes or springs from geologically and physically protected groundwater sources; The constant level and relative proportion of minerals and trace elements in the water at the outlet are within the range of natural fluctuations; No additional minerals are allowed.
Classification: Different from the regulations of China and the European UnionThere is no specific classification of mineral water in the U.S. Mineral Water Standard.
3. European Union - European Guidelines for Good Hygienic Practices in Bottled Water (2009 54 EC).
Definition of natural mineral water in Directive 54 of 2009: Microbiological compliance with Article 5 "Microbiological Criteria" of 2009 54 EC * Water gushing from one or more natural or borehole areas on the surface of the groundwater or in a water storage area. It is also pointed out that natural mineral water and ordinary drinking water can be clearly distinguished according to the following conditions:Depending on its nature: mineral content, trace elements or other components, depending on the potency where appropriate. According to its original purity.
The 2009 Directive 54 EC only gives a classification for aerated natural mineral waters. At the water source or after bottling, aerated natural mineral water automatically releases carbon dioxide in a visible way under normal temperature and pressure conditions. This water is accordingly divided into the three categories described below: natural carbonated natural mineral water, natural mineral water fortified with spring gas, and carbonated natural mineral water.
(2) Water quality standard requirements
1. China - "National Food Safety Standard for Drinking Natural Mineral Water" (GB 8537-2018).1) Limited requirements
The new version of GB 8537-2018 stipulates a total of 4 sensory indicators, 18 limit indicators, 7 pollutants, 4 microorganisms, and 7 limit indicators, a total of 40 indicators, of which selenium exists in the limit index (0.05 mg l), again in the limit indicator (0.).01mg l) exists, so the actual total39 indicators, including boundary indicators
2) Other requirements
The source of natural mineral water needs to be recognized and approved by the local competent authority, and the approval materials need to include hydrogeological research and hydrogeological researchSee GB T 13727-2016。The production of natural mineral water and the sanitary protection of water sources and the monitoring of water quality must comply with the requirements of GMP GB 19304 "Hygienic Specification for the Production of Packaged Drinking Water", in which the water quality monitoring items include all parameters specified in GB 8537-2018 except for 4 sensory items, manganese and oxygen consumption. Allows removal of unstable components by aeration, decanting, filtration, etc. The product must be packaged close to the point of water and should not be transported to the off-site filling in containers. In addition to the provisions of GB7718, the label of pre-packaged products should also meet the following requirements: Indicate the source of natural mineral water; Indicate the limit of the product's compliance, the content range of total dissolved solids and major cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+); When the fluorine content is greater than 1At 0 mg L, it should be marked with the word "fluoride".
2. The United States - "American Bottled Drinking Water (Bottled Drinking Water) Related Standards" (165110）
1) Limited requirements
cfr 21 165.Article 110 (b) stipulates certain health-related substance limits, because mineral water is present in itself, unlike other bottled water, drinking natural mineral water no longer stipulates the limit of nine indicators in the water, such as color, turbidity, odor, chloride, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids, zinc and sulfate. In addition, the basis is stipulated2 physical and chemical indexes (phenol, fluoride)., 18 inorganic substances (including 2 EPA secondary limit indicators), 21 volatile organic compounds, 30 pesticides and other synthetic organic compounds, 7 disinfection by-products, 4 radioactive substances and 2 microorganismsA total of 84 items(According to the legal limit statistics, some parameters that need to calculate the total amount are counted as 1 item, such as haloacetic acid, which is actually tested for 5 kinds, and the single limit is set to the total amount, and only 1 total haloacetic acid is counted here).
2) Other requirements
cfr 21 129.110 stipulates that bottled water sources and operating water require approval and approval by the local competent authorities.
IBWA member companies annually monitor and audit the 100 limit indicators in Appendix A of the Code of Practice for Bottled Water in the source and final products of natural mineral water (the 100 indicators in the IBWA Code of Practice fully cover CFR 21 165.)84 indicators specified in 110 (b). Dioxins, diquat, glucosate, glyphosate and radioactive indicators, the frequency of monitoring of the final product and water source varies slightly. e.COLI and coliform bacteria are counted as 2 items, and the microbial indicators are weekly monitoring items, and the other items are counted according to the total amount set limit 1, such as the total amount of haloacetic acid).
3. European Union - European Guidelines for Good Hygienic Practices in Bottled Water (2009 54 EC).
1) Limited requirements
In 2009 54 EC, natural mineral water was defined as microbiologically safe water, so in the original 80 777 EEC and the updated 2009 54 EC, only microbial limits were specified, including parasites, pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms, Streptococcus faecalis, anaerobic sulfite-reducing Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total number of colonies (2 items at different temperatures), etc., but there was no specific pathogen to which oneTherefore, it is necessary to assess all the pathogenic bacteria that are most likely to be contaminated according to their actual situation.
The physical and chemical safety of natural mineral water has always attracted the attention of all walks of life in the European Union, so in May 2003, the European Union stipulated a total of 19 physical and chemical index limits for mineral water in the 2003 40 EC directive. So far, the EU has a total of 28 indicators for the limit of natural mineral water.
2) Other requirements
Natural mineral water sources need to be "water source confirmation" by the competent authority of the country, and the named water source needs to be registered in the European Union, in which the confirmation data needs to include hydrogeological studies, such as claims of diuretic, gastric and intestinal functions, and clinical and pharmacological analysis research reports.
The extraction of natural mineral water is subject to the provisions of Annex II of 2009 54 EC.
Natural mineral water sources must be microbiologically safe and free from various contaminants such as pesticides, pathogenic bacteria and other contamination; Water protection measures need to be established.
The composition, temperature and other characteristic characteristics of natural mineral water need to be stable within the natural fluctuation range, especially when the flow fluctuates.
Natural mineral water is not allowed to be treated by any process, except for decanting and/or filtration, if necessary, using a pre-aeration oxygen process to remove unstable compounds such as iron and sulfur; removal of iron, manganese, sulfur and arsenic by ozone enrichment process; Free carbon dioxide is completely or partially eliminated by physical means, provided that all treatments do not alter the mineral composition of the natural mineral water.
Natural mineral water in the state of water should not be added with any additives except carbon dioxide that meets the requirements.
It is forbidden to carry out any disinfection treatment of mineral water in any way, and it is also forbidden to add antibacterial elements or other treatments that can easily cause changes in the total number of colonies of natural mineral water.
The product must be packaged at the water source, and it is not allowed to use large containers such as tankers to package after transportation.
The label must reflect the composition, water source, water source name, and any process information, and one trade name corresponds to one water source. Labels must not contain false information such as water source, date of exploitation authorization, etc., and must not contain claims for prevention, ** or ** human disease, but Member States may allow "good for digestion", "promotes hepatobiliary function" or similar labels.
2009 Directive 54 EC Annex 316 types of labels claim, such as high mineral content, diuretic, etcHowever, these labels need to be evaluated based on physicochemical analysis or, if necessary, by recognized scientific methods to determine whether they meet the requirements of labeling limits [7].
(c).Comparison of the number of indicators required for the water quality limit of drinking mineral water in China, the United States and the European Union
Take a small summary. Judging from the comparison of the number of natural mineral water quality limit indicators in China, the United States and the European Union, the United States has a limit for mineral water84 items, far more than China and the European Union,However, most of the extra parameters are concentrated in volatile organic compounds, pesticides, other synthetic organic compounds, disinfection by-products, and radioactivity。The EU standard pays more attention to the safety risks of microorganisms, with 9 microbial indicators. Through comparative analysis, the United States pays more attention to the physical and chemical limit requirements of natural mineral water, and the European Union pays more attention to microbiological safety.
However, it is not scientific to analyze the water quality standards of China's mineral water as well as those of the United States only from the analysis of the number of water quality limit indicators. Although China's microbiological requirements are not as strict as those of the European Union, they areIn many common parameters, the limit requirements are stricter than those of the United States, and are not lower than those of the European Union. For example, 4 sensory indicators (color, turbidity, taste, state) have been added, and the content of cyanide and barium is lower than that of the European Union and the United States.
Conclusion:
Through the analysis and comparison of the definitions, classifications, limit requirements and other requirements of China, the United States, Japan and the European Union in drinking water packaged drinking water, people will have a more comprehensive understanding of the drinking water and packaged drinking water regulations in China, the United States, Japan and the European Union. Although China, the United States and the European Union have different regulatory limits and other requirements for packaged drinking water, they are all based on the relevant standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and have made corresponding adjustments according to their own actual conditions, and their purpose is to more comprehensively ensure the safety of drinking water for the people.
Nasheng International will continue to share drinking water knowledge, continue to move forward on the road of healthy drinking water in China, and promote the continuous development of drinking water enterprises and industries.
References: 1] [3]: Peng Hongxi, Li Cong. Comparison of drinking water quality standards between China, the United States and Japan** J].China Water Supply and Drainage, 2018, 34 (10): 26-31 doi:10.19853/j.zgjsps.1000-4602.2018.10.006.
2]: Liu Zehua, She Peiyang, Wei Xuening, et al. Japan's latest drinking water quality standards and enlightenment j China Water Supply and Drainage, 2016, 32( 8): 8-10
4] [5] [6]: Zhang Fenghong. Analysis of Bottled Water Regulations at Home and Abroad - Bottled Water (Except Natural Mineral Water) [J].Food Safety Guide, 2019, (12): 46-48 doi:10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2019.12.035.
7] Zhang Fenghong. Analysis of Bottled Water Regulations at Home and Abroad - Natural Mineral Water [J].Food Safety Guide, 2019, (09): 44-46 doi:10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2019.09.032.