There is mineral water that can pose a threat to health. The results of an investigation by "Öko-Test" are frightening. A medium water even gets the grade "6".
Hamm - Water from the tap is unbeatably cheap and does not have to be laboriously dragged into the apartment. If you like, you can even spice it up with the help of a sparkling water. And yet millions of Germans swear by bottled mineral water - for supposed reasons of quality or taste. A test report by the consumer magazine Öko-Test shows that not every medium mineral water can be drunk without hesitation.
Medium mineral water in the test: A brand drowns with insufficient
For its latest edition (6/2023), Öko-Test reviewed 50 mineral water brands from different regions of Germany. The cost range of the products studied is enormous. The price per liter is between 17 cents and 1.45 euros. But how many liters of water should you drink a day? The number is astonishing.
Overall, the result of the study is encouraging, as almost half of the brands examined (24) received the grade "very good", plus nine times "good". However, six products also failed. Five mineral waters received a "poor" rating, and one even received an "unsatisfactory" rating after the laboratory test, wa.de reports.
Medium mineral water in the test: toxins and impurities
The testers had the mineral waters tested for a variety of possible problematic substances, such as nitrate, vanadium, arsenic, boron, uranium and chromium(VI), which is classified as carcinogenic. All these elements can get into the mineral water from the naturally passed through rock layers. For this purpose, the products were screened for "man-made impurities" such as sweeteners and pesticide degradation products.
The worst grade was given to the mineral water "Berg Quellen Medium" from branded drinks Schwollen. Due to an increased chromium (VI) and nitrate content, Öko-Test gave a smooth 6. "Oppacher Medium" from Oppacher Mineralquellen also scored poorly with "poor". According to the manufacturer, the product is suitable for the preparation of infant formula, but according to Öko-Test, it contains a slightly elevated nitrate value.
Medium mineral water in the test: Öko-Test awards 24 times "very good"
The price range of the 24 mineral waters rated "very good" varies greatly. The cheapest - and primarily regionally distributed - brands in the top list:
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Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
- Fresh breeze Marius Mineral Spring Medium (0.35 euros per litre)
- Nature Park Quelle Medium (0,41 Euro)
More expensive, but also available nationwide, are, among other things, these mineral waters, which are rated "very good":
- Selters Medium (0.91 euros per litre)
- Gerolsteiner Medium (1,01 Euro)
The fact that quality of mineral water does not have to be expensive is shown by a study by Stiftung Warentest from 2022. There, the low-cost products from discounters were convincing.
However, tap water is unrivalled cheap. Öko-Test also points this out: "A litre of tap water is available for 0.3 to 0.5 cents, depending on the municipality or city. Sewage fee included," writes the magazine. It is the least harmful to the environment and climate and the quality is closely monitored.
