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New mineral water standards to take effect Oct 1

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-25 15:05

New quality standards for China's natural mineral water will take effect on October 1, the National Business Daily reported today.

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The new regulations limit the amount of bromate, a carcinogenic byproduct of a common disinfectant used in mineral water, to 0.01 milligrams per liter. That is in accordance with the World Health Organization's guidelines for drinking water.

They also replace a total limit on bacteria and fungus in the water while set caps on the amount of three specific microorganisms allowed in the water.

Additionally, the regulations set limits on metals allowed in mineral water, including antimony, manganese, and nickel.

There are generally six types of packaged drinking water, including purified water, mineral water, spring water, mineralized water, flavored water and other natural drinking water. Bottled mineral water comprises 12 percent of the market share.

China's bottled water industry was worth roughly 40 billion yuan in 2008, and the industry’s average profit margin was 3.85 percent, the National Business Daily reported