The tap water in Italy is safe at 99%, but despite this, a third of Italians continue to prefer bottled water. The ISS report of 2024 confirms that tap water in our country complies with sanitary standards, but the diffidence towards this source remains strong.
The investigation of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) analyzed more than 2.5 million water samples and found that in 99.1% of cases the tap water respects sanitary parameters, while 98.4% respect the indicators such as flavor, smell and color. Despite these statistics, a considerable slice of the population still prefers to buy bottled water.
Mineral water, considered a natural and pure product, is also not immune to contamination. A test conducted by Altroconsumo analyzed 21 of the best -selling brands in Italy, discovering traces of TFA (trifluoroactic acid), a substance belonging to the Pfas family, in many champions. These compounds are known for their persistence in the environment and for the possible harmful effects on health, including damage to the liver and reproductive system.
The best bottle water of the test: Blues Sant’Antonio
According to Altroconsumo’s investigation, the best bottle water is that of Eurospin: Blues Sant’Antoniowhich obtained the highest score, 71 points. This brand stands out for high quality and a competitive price, earning the title of “best purchase”. Other brands that have distinguished themselves for their quality include S. Bernardo Naturale, Conad Valpura, Vera and San Benedetto Eco Green Benedicta. These waters have obtained higher assessments thanks to their balanced composition and the absence of TFA.
The worst of the test: presence of contaminants
On the other hand, some famous brands have been penalized due to the presence of contaminants. Among these, Levissimi and Fiuggi stand out, both affected by the presence of arsenic in excessive quantities, while Levissimo also showed traces of TFA. Other brands with insufficient assessments include cream, Esselunga Ulmeta and Saguaro (Lidl).
The TFA problem in mineral waters
The TFA is a substance connected to the PFAS, which not only persists in the environment but could also have harmful effects on health. Although there are still no legal limits for the concentration of TFA in mineral waters, Altroconsumo has appealed to the Italian and European authorities for the introduction of specific limits for this substance in mineral waters, to protect consumers from harmful contaminations.
How the investigation took place
The test that seen analyzed 21 different brands of mineral water considered the following parameters:
Mineracqua replies
After the exit of our article, we received a communication from the Mineracqua Federation, the body which, in the context of Confindustria, represents the companies active in the natural and source mineral waters sector. Below we publish the intervention of the Director of Delegate and Vice -President Ettore Fortuna:
We are for the umpteenth time surprised in verifying the approximation with which Altroconsumo represented some analytical results relating to unilaterally conducted tests, of which we ignore the methods and which discredit the quality of Italian mineral waters.
First of all, we want to point out that the safety of natural mineral waters on the market is guaranteed by the “clear” control supply chain – from the source to the finished product – to which the ASLs contribute with the analytical support of the ARPA, the HACCP procedures of the companies, the annual analyzes carried out by the universities for the maintenance of the ministerial recognition. The finished product (the bottle) is then subject to frequent samples at the points of sale by the competent bodies (ASL, NAS, etc.) for subsequent analytical checks of conformity.
We now come to examine some “peculiar” interpretations that Altroconsumo offers to their readers in relation to the results of these investigations:
1. Excessive levels of TFA: in rejected products it was found in excessive quantities (according to the parameters used to ensure the quality of drinking water)
Currently, in Italy, no limit for the TFA is applied in potable waters; A draft decree of amendment of Legislative Decree 18/2023 on the potable waters proposes the limit of 10 μg/l, but this draft has not yet found implementation. Therefore, there is no current parameter “used to ensure the safety of drinking water”. The communication of Altroconsumo is therefore misleading, both as it is incorrect in referring to a non -existing regulatory limit and because it is alarmistic when it uses the term “excessive”. Excessive compared to what? To a limit that does not exist or to a personal interpretation of the “Evidence Based Public Health”? A “transparent” information should have compared the results of the TFA in the mineral waters examined with the concentrations present in the potable waters and conclude on the basis of these comparisons that the possible presence of TFA in mineral waters is however at levels well below those found on average in the potable waters.
2. The “presence” and “excessive levels” of heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, manganese and nickel
Given that arsenic and aluminum are not heavy metals while they are manganese and nickel, it is good to remember that for these compounds the limits for a water (mineral or drinkable that it is) are always established on safety criteria: the limit for the arsenic is in fact equal to 10 μg/l is for mineral waters and for potable waters. It follows, to give an example that a water containing 9 μg/l of arsenic and one containing 1 μg/L are equivalent from the toxicological point of view, that is, both ofble for sure. We also remind you that the manganese is an essential element, and therefore it is necessary to take it into account in the information to the consumer. Finally, remember that for aluminum there are no safety limits neither for mineral waters (parameter to be analyzed but without limit) nor for potable waters (it is among the indicators with value to 200 μg/l). Also in this case the communication mode is alarmistic and misleading for the consumer.
3. A high content of nitrates in natural mineral water can indicate a human contamination of the source
Nitrates are up of nitric acid and constitute a vegetable nourishing essential absorbed by plants from the ground. They are composed largely present in nature and equipped with very high solubility in water. Nitrates represent the nitrogen form more easily absorbable by the radical system of plants; Once absorbed, they are used for the synthesis of complex substances essential for the structure and function of plants (proteins, nucleic acids). Nitrates are therefore a natural component in fruit, vegetables and cereals. It is for these reasons that nitrates are present in all waters (minerals and tap), and they are not (except for specific cases) pollution indicators. Also in this case the communication of Altroconsumo is alarmistic and misleading for the consumer.
Waiting for future regulatory updates, the choice of bottle water must be carefully weighted, considering not only the price, but also the quality and safety of the product. If you really don’t want to drink tap water, choose the safer brands such as Blues Sant’Antonio of Eurospin, Conad Valpura and San Benedetto Eco Green Benedicta.
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