3. Partial assessment of packaged water quality in France

3.1 Context

Packaged waters are classified into three families, characterized by their nature, the quality requirements they must meet, and the treatments they must undergo.

Natural mineral water and spring water must be groundwater, free from micro-organisms and protected from the risk of pollution. Some treatments are authorized by regulations, such as the separation of compounds like iron and sulfur. All disinfection is prohibited, and they must meet very strict microbiological requirements. Natural mineral waters differ from other types of water in the presence of minerals, trace elements, etc. Some are even recognized by the French National Academy of Medicine for their specific properties.

Spring water is subject to the same physico-chemical...