Mineral waters

Mineral waters are natural spring waters or similar underground waters, produced and bottled at source under conditions specified in national regulations. They must come from a protected, unpolluted source, meet strict microbiological standards without disinfection treatments that would alter their character, and declare their characteristic mineral composition on the label. Categories such as still, sparkling, and naturally carbonated are legally defined, and health-related claims are tightly controlled. Bottling plants follow hygienic practices, from source protection through filling, to keep the water microbiologically stable through its shelf life. In the UK the term is also used loosely for carbonated soft drinks.