Buying Still Mineral Water: A Guide

The market for still mineral water is vast. Making an informed choice requires a clear understanding of product properties and ingredients. This guide focuses on objective criteria—mineral content, suitability for specific needs, and packaging type—to help you navigate your purchase of still mineral water.

Buyer's Guide: What to Look For When Choosing

Choosing the right natural mineral water depends on your personal needs. The following key criteria are relevant for making an assessment.

1. Mineralisation and Composition

According to the German Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO), natural mineral water must originate from underground sources protected from contamination and possess an original purity. Its composition of minerals and trace elements is characteristic and must remain constant within the scope of natural fluctuations.

• Total Mineral Content: This value, often listed as "dry residue" at 180°C (also known as Total Dissolved Solids or TDS), represents the sum of all dissolved minerals. Water with a value under 500 mg/l is considered low in minerals, while values over 1,500 mg/l indicate a mineral-rich water.
• Key Minerals: Pay attention to the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate declared on the label. These values determine the taste and can contribute to meeting your daily mineral requirements.

2. Sodium Content

For a low-sodium diet, the sodium content is a crucial criterion. A mineral water can be labelled as low-sodium if it contains less than 20 milligrams of sodium per litre (mg/l). This information is particularly relevant for individuals who need to control their salt intake, as well as for the preparation of infant formula.

3. Suitability for Preparing Infant Formula

Water explicitly labelled as water for baby food or baby water must adhere to strict limits for certain ingredients. This includes particularly low concentrations of sodium, nitrate, and nitrite. The note "Suitable for the preparation of infant formula" on the label indicates that the product meets these legal requirements. Such water generally does not need to be boiled when the package is freshly opened.

4. Packaging Material

The packaging influences transport, storage, and handling.

• PET bottles: Lightweight and shatterproof, practical for on the go.
• Glass bottles: Taste-neutral and reusable, but heavier.
• Tetra Paks: Lightweight, light-proof, and often space-saving for storage.

Exceptional Still Water Selections

The following products have been selected based on their declared specifications and intended use.

Volvic Naturell Mineral Water 6x1L

Why We Recommend This Product Volvic Naturell originates from a volcanic region in the French Auvergne. It is filtered through six layers of volcanic rock, which gives it a specific mineral composition. With a sodium content of 12 mg/l, it is low-sodium and suitable for a wide range of consumers.

Benefits

• Low sodium content (12 mg/l)
• Balanced mineralisation (incl. 12 mg/l calcium, 8 mg/l magnesium)
• Suitable for daily use and for hydration during sports activities

Who It's For Individuals looking for a still water with a mild taste and a balanced, light mineralisation for everyday consumption.

View Product: Volvic Naturell Mineral Water 6x1L

Bebivita Fennel with Apple in Still Mineral Water (from 5th month) 6x500ml

Why We Recommend This Product This beverage combines still mineral water with organic fennel and apple extracts. According to the manufacturer, it is formulated without added sugar, artificial flavours, or preservatives. It is specially designed as a refreshing drink for infants from the 5th month and for toddlers.

Benefits

• Specially developed for babies and toddlers
• Ingredients from organic farming
• No added sugar or artificial flavours
• Practical 500ml bottles for on the go

Who It's For Parents looking for a mild, ready-to-drink beverage for their children from the 5th month of age that offers an alternative to plain water.

View Product: Bebivita Fennel with Apple

VILSA Baby-Wasser Bio-Natur (6 x 1L Tetra Pak)

Why We Recommend This Product VILSA Baby Water is a certified organic mineral water explicitly suitable for the preparation of infant formula from birth. It is low-sodium (16.4 mg/l) and features a mineral content balanced for infants. The 1-litre Tetra Pak packaging is light-proof and practical to handle.

Benefits

• Officially suitable for the preparation of infant formula (from birth)
• Certified organic mineral water (DE-?KO-001)
• Low sodium content and balanced mineral composition
• Does not need to be boiled when the package is freshly opened

Who It's For Parents of infants and toddlers who need a tested and certified water for baby food to safely prepare milk formula or porridge.

View Product: VILSA Baby-Wasser Bio-Natur

Discover More Options

The range of still water includes a variety of products with different mineral compositions and from various sources. If you are looking for other waters with specific properties or in different packaging sizes, you will find a wider selection in our still beverages category.

Discover More Still Beverages Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What should I look for when choosing water for baby food? Look for the explicit note "Suitable for the preparation of infant formula" on the label. Such waters meet strict legal limits, especially for sodium (under 20 mg/l), nitrate (under 10 mg/l), and nitrite (under 0.02 mg/l). Additionally, they should have a low bacterial count.

2. What does "low-sodium" mean for mineral water? The term "low-sodium" is legally defined. A mineral water may carry this designation if its sodium content is below 20 milligrams per litre (mg/l). This information can be found on the bottle label in the nutritional table or analysis of ingredients.

3. Does water declared "suitable for infant formula" need to be boiled before use? No, if the bottle or carton is freshly opened, boiling is not necessary as the water already has a low bacterial count. However, opened containers should be stored in the refrigerator, and according to the manufacturer's instructions (often from the second day onwards), the water should be heated or boiled as a precaution before preparing baby food. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Authored by: Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer