Following this publication, the authorities of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in a third country, may lodge, in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) an opposition with the Commission within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

Designations of origin and geographical indications of agricultural products

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’

EU reference number: PDO-SK-03398 – 10.1.2025

1.   Name(s)

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO ☒ PGI ☐

3.   Country to which the defined geographical area belongs

Slovakia

4.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

4.1.   Classification of the agricultural product in accordance with the Combined Nomenclature heading and code, as referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143

—	22 - BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR 2201 - Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow 2201 10 - Mineral waters and aerated waters

4.2.   Description of the agricultural product to which the registered name applies

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ is a natural mineral water with a high overall mineral content. It contains high levels of sodium, calcium, magnesium and hydrogen carbonates, and increased levels of chlorine, iodine and bromine. The mineral water is naturally aerated with carbon dioxide, which gives it a delicate effervescent taste, and has a salty flavour attributable to its high sodium and chlorine content.

Total mineralisation:

Carbon dioxide: 1,4–2,5 g/l

Residual solid components after evaporation: 20 900 – 29 900 mg/l

Calcium: 20 – 400 mg/l

Magnesium: 50 – 300 mg/l

Sodium: 5 000 – 10 000 mg/l

Potassium: 110 – 250 mg/l

Bicarbonates: 15 000 – 22 000 mg/l

Chlorine: 2 500 – 4 500 mg/l

The above values can vary (up to 15 % either way) depending on soil and climate conditions.

4.3.   Derogations on sourcing of feed (for products of animal origin designated by a protected designation of origin only) and restrictions on sourcing of raw materials (for processed products designated by a protected geographical indication only)

Mineral-water springs emerge in the geographical area concerned.

4.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ is pumped continuously into the production site through distribution pipes. The natural mineral-water product undergoes no treatment before being bottled.

4.5.   Specific rules concerning packaging, slicing, grating, etc. of the agricultural product the registered name refers to

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ is bottled in hygienically pristine sales packaging by means of a technological process that excludes any contamination by foreign elements or substances and forms a closed loop between the water supply point and the point at which it is bottled for sale.

4.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

—

5.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The defined geographical area is bounded to the north by a stretch of the Slovakian border with Poland from approximately 250 m east of the Lacková spot elevation (997) to the Hrb spot elevation (764) in a west-east direction. The boundary then continues in a south-westerly direction as far as the watershed between the drainage basins of the River Cigeľka (formerly the Oľchovec) and the River Sveržovka at the Busov spot elevation (1002), at which point it turns westwards and follows the ridge of the Busov massif. It then crosses the valley of the Cigeľka (formerly Oľchovec) stream and runs north-west along the ridge through the Sivá skala (838) and Priehyba (796) spot elevations until it reaches the national border, thereby completing the protected area.

In administrative terms it is located in the district of Bardejov, Prešov region, north-eastern Slovakia.

6.   Link with the geographical area

The causal link is based on the soil and climate conditions in the defined geographical area.

Specificity of the geographical area

The defined geographical area forms part of the Carpathian Flysch Belt, which is characterised by layers of claystone, sandstone and marlstone. When they come into contact with groundwater these rocks release minerals (in particular sodium, calcium and hydrogen carbonates), which gives the water a high mineral content.

Volcanic activity in the area has left underground deposits of carbon dioxide. The mineral water is therefore naturally aerated with carbon dioxide, which gives it a delicate effervescence and a specific taste. The mineral water’s natural carbonisation not only affects its taste, it also increases the solubility of minerals in the water. It makes the water slightly acidic, which increases its ability to dissolve minerals from the rocks during its underground journey, thereby becoming richer in minerals.

The region has a temperate continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, which affects the depth and temperature of the mineral-water springs. Ample precipitation ensures a steady supply of water to underground reservoirs. These conditions continuously replenish the groundwater reserves, thus ensuring that they remain stable in terms of quality and mineral content.

The conditions in the defined area are specific to flysch subsoil. The area is geologically fairly rich in faults, which allow carbon dioxide to escape, thus forming a small but hydrogeologically active area in which aerated mineral waters are formed naturally. The surrounding areas also have flysch characteristics but lack the distinctive hydrogeological conditions (permeability owing to fissures) to produce highly mineralised and aerated springs.

In the defined geographical area, a conservation zone has been established to protect this area of mineral-water springs from any damage or undesirable economic activity that may affect its current condition, yield or chemical composition.

Specificity of the product

The characteristic features of ‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ are due to the local geological and hydrogeological conditions affecting its characteristics. It is characterised by high levels of sodium, calcium, magnesium and hydrogen carbonates. The high sodium and chlorine content gives it a specific sharper, richer and slightly salty taste.

The mineral water is naturally aerated with carbon dioxide, which is introduced into the water by geological processes in the subsoil. This natural carbonisation gives the water an effervescent quality.

Causal link

‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ originates in the Carpathian arc, which contains layers of claystone, sandstone and calcareous rocks. These rocks act as natural filters and at the same time enrich the water with an abundance of minerals. The carbon dioxide in this area plays a key role in the process of enriching the water with minerals, which gives it a high mineral content. The continental climate, with cold winters and temperate summers, supports the stability of the groundwater springs and helps to ensure that the water’s chemical properties remain constant over extensive periods of time.

The defined geographical area is rich in mineral springs, although they seem to have remained elusive for a long time and were not included in the register drawn up by Matthias Bel and Ján Adam Rayman in the 18th century. The spring was officially discovered by Ľudovít Tognio who, in the first half of the 19th century, was the first to promote these waters throughout Europe, describing them as unique, alkaline salty waters with high mineral content and high levels of iodine, bromine and alkaline substances.

Of particular interest is a spring called ‘Píšťalkový’, which in the early 20th century was fitted with a whistle. When the amount of gas exiting the spring increased, the whistle began to sound, thereby drawing public attention to the quality of water with increased carbon dioxide content.

The municipality of Cigeľka used to be a spa resort, where therapies included water-drinking treatments. Bottling of ‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ began in the 20th century, when a bottling plant was built in the area. It is still not clear exactly when bottling started, but it is thought that the first commercial activities took place in the 1940s and 1950s, when demand for mineral water was increasing both in Slovakia and abroad. This process enabled the mineral water to be distributed more widely (including outside the region) and gradually contributed to its reputation and to its availability not only to spa guests but also to ordinary consumers.

The mineral water has been protected under bilateral agreements: the Treaty of 19 January 1976 between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Swiss Confederation on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other geographical indications, the Treaty of 20 January 1981 between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Republic of Austria on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other designations of agricultural and industrial products referring to origin, and the Agreement of 18 May 1987 between the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Government of the Portuguese Republic on the protection of indications of origin, designations of origin and other geographical and similar designations.

Since 22 December 1979 the name ‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ has been protected as a designation of origin at national level under Act No 159/1973 on the protection of designations of origin.

Bottling of ‘Cigeľská prírodná minerálna voda’ / ‘Minerálna voda Cigeľka’ / ‘Cigeľka’ began as early as the 1940s and continues to this day.

Thanks to its high mineral content, it is also sold in pharmacies and health-food shops.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.indprop.gov.sk/swift_data/source/pdf/specifikacie_op_oz/Cigelska_prirodna_mineralna_voda_Mineralna_voda_Cigelka.pdf

---

(1)  Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (OJ L, 2024/1143, 23.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1143/oj).