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Using alumina to remove fluoride from mineral waters
SUMMARY OF:
Regulation (EU) No 115/2010 — use of activated alumina for fluoride removal from mineral waters
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
It sets out rules for the use of activated alumina1 to remove fluoride2 from mineral and spring waters, to comply with EU directives on the quality of drinking water.
KEY POINTS
The use of activated alumina to remove fluoride in natural mineral waters and spring waters is permitted, under the following conditions:
- The release of residues into the water as a result of the treatment must be as low as technically possible and not be a risk to public health.
- The use of the treatment must be notified to the competent authorities at least 3 months in advance, with documentation and data to show that it complies with the regulation.
- All chemicals used in the treatment must comply with standards applicable to the treatment of drinking water.
- The activated alumina must comply with European standards to ensure that no excess residues are released into the water.
- Before use, the activated alumina must be treated to remove residues and fine particles.
- Filters must be rinsed as a final step to ensure that they do not affect the mineral content of the treated water.
- The activated alumina must be regenerated at appropriate intervals to restore its effectiveness.
- The operator must monitor processes to ensure that the essential characteristics of the water are maintained.
- The use of a fluoride removal treatment should be indicated on the label of treated water, close to the composition list, in the form: ‘water subjected to an authorised adsorption technique’.
FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?
It has applied since .
BACKGROUND
- Directive 2009/54/EC sets out the EU’s rules on the permitted methods for treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters. It authorises the European Commission to lay down the conditions for use of treatments following consultation with the European Food Safety Authority.
- Commission Directive 2003/40/EC sets a limit for fluoride in natural mineral waters. The limit for spring water is fixed by Council Directive 98/83/EC.
- Chemical processing is subject to the good manufacturing practices and the principles set out in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food hygiene.
- For more information, see:
- Natural Mineral Waters and Spring Water (European Commission).
KEY TERMS
- Activated alumina: highly porous form of aluminium oxide with a large surface area. It can be used as a filter to remove fluoride from drinking water.
- Fluoride: a naturally occurring element in water supplies. Concentrations vary widely from one EU country to another.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Commission Regulation (EU) No 115/2010 of laying down the conditions for use of activated alumina for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters and spring waters (OJ L 37, , pp. 13–15)
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