Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 20, 2024, and was updated on February 26, 2024, as per the latest developments.
On February 26, 2025, Japan's Consumer Affair Agency (CAA) released an Amendment to the Food and Additive Standards Concerning Soft Drinks (PFOS and PFOA), seeking public comments. Stakeholders are invited to submit opinions during the consultation period, which will remain open until March 27, 2025.
The revised standards for soft drinks introduce a new regulation regarding the permissible levels of PFOS and PFOA in "mineral water products that are sterilized or disinfected." These substances must not exceed a combined limit of 0.00005 mg per liter.
On February 10, 2025, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) presented a proposal to establish standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in mineral water, specifically for sterilized or disinfected types, during a meeting of the Food Standards Subcommittee.
This proposal follows the Ministry of the Environment's recent decision to include PFOS and PFOA under the Drinking Water Quality Standards. The CAA aims to regulate these two substances in mineral water at a combined limit of 50 ng/L, which aligns with the established standard for tap water. The draft standards are expected to be formally adopted.
Drinking Water Quality
March 2020:
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) established a provisional target value for water quality management, limiting the combined value of PFOS and PFOA to 50 ng/L.
February 2025:
The Central Environmental Council's Subcommittee on Water Quality and Sanitation approved a proposal to upgrade the current water quality management target for PFOS and PFOA from a management target to a regulatory standard, with no changes to the regulated substances or the specified limits.
Mineral Water Specification
Mineral water is often consumed as an alternative for tap water, and it is necessary to apply similar water quality standards to ensure human health protection.
For sterilized and disinfected mineral water, the proposed combined limit for PFOS and PFOA is 50 ng/L, consistent with the tap water. This limit is based on the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) approach, considering a daily intake of 2L water for an average person weighing 50kg, with a maximum exposure from water of 10% of the TDI.
Conversely, non-sterilized and non-disinfected mineral waters are subject to stricter control from the raw water collection stage, which is why their standards differ from sterilized ones. These mineral waters must adhere to Codex Standard for Natural Mineral Waters but are not necessarily required to follow the same standards as tap water.
International Status for PFAS in Drinking Water
Currently, the Codex Standard for Natural Mineral Waters does not set limits for PFOS and PFOA, and the EU similarly exempts these substances from its natural mineral water regulations.
Country/Region | Target | Regulation | Content |
Codex Alimentarius | / | / | / |
EU | Water intended for human consumption | Directive(EU) 2020/2184 | PFAS Total: 0,50 μg/l Sum of PFAS: 0,10 μg/l |
US | Drinking water | National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)on April 10, 2024 | 4.0 ng/L for PFOS and PFOA |
WHO | Drinking water | PFOS and PFOA in Drinking-water, Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinkingwater Quality, 29 September 2022, Version for public review | The provisional guideline values are proposed as 0.1 μg/L (100 ng/L) for PFOS and PFOA, and 0.5 μg/L (500 ng/L) for all PFAS. |
Summary
The revision aims to establish quality standards for harmful substances, PFOS and PFOA, in mineral water, ensuring better protection of consumer health. However, untreated mineral water will require stricter regulation and will continue to follow Codex standards.
Additionally, the final decision on these changes is expected to be made in the upcoming Food Sanitation Standards Council, where the proposed guidelines are likely to be formally confirmed.
