Italian mineral waters: the guide to regulations, labels and market

Italy drinks more natural mineral water than any other European country. In 2025, consumption reached 15.7 billion liters, about 266 liters per capita, with a turnover of producers estimated at 3.5 billion euros (Beverfood, 2026a). Behind a daily gesture is a precise regulatory framework, whose first organic rules date back to the Royal Decree of September 28, 1919, no. 1924 and which today is based on Directive 2009/54/EC and Legislative Decree of October 8, 2011, no. 176.

Below, a technical-legal guide to the product: what distinguishes natural mineral water from drinking water, how to read the denominations of still, sparkling and naturally effervescent waters, which indications and claims are allowed, what causes the extraordinary biodiversity of Italian springs and the value of consumption, production and export.

The EU directive and Italian legislation

The European legislation is based on Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters:

• the directive applies to waters extracted from the soil of a Member State e recognized by the authority responsible for that State as natural mineral waters complying with Annex I;
• The list of recognized waters is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (Dir. 2009/54/EC, Art. 1.1 and 1.5);
• the sources must be used and the bottled waters according to the conditions of Annex II (Dir. 2009/54/EC, Art. 3).

I permitted treatments are mandatory and only physical:

• separation of unstable elements, such as iron and sulfur compounds, by filtration or decantation, possibly preceded by oxygenation;
• separation of iron, manganese, sulfur, and arsenic by ozone-enriched air;
• separation of other undesirable components under conditions established by the Commission following consultation with EFSA;
• total or partial removal of free carbon dioxide by exclusively physical processes (Dir. 2009/54/EC, Art. 4.1).

Conversely, they are ‘prohibited any disinfection treatment and, except as provided in paragraph 2, the addition of bacteriostatic elements or any other treatment that modifies the microbiota of natural mineral water (Dir. 2009/54/EC, Art. 4.3).

In Italy the directive was implemented by Legislative Decree 176/2011, effective from 20 November 2011, which repealed Legislative Decrees 105/1992 and 339/1999 and regulates in a single text the natural mineral waters and the waters of spring (Legislative Decree 176/2011, Art. 34). The legal definition is as follows: natural mineral waters are 'waters that, originating from an underground aquifer or reservoir, come from one or more natural or drilled springs and have particular hygienic characteristics and, possibly, properties beneficial to health' Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 2.1. These characteristics are assessed on the geological and hydrogeological, organoleptic, physical, physico-chemical and chemical, microbiological and, if necessary, pharmacological, clinical and physiological levels, and the composition, temperature and other essential characteristics must remain constant at the source within the natural variations (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 2.3 and 2.4). The technical evaluation criteria are dictated by the decree of the Minister of Health dated 10 February 2015, which replaced the decreeministerial decree 12 November 1992, no. 542 (Ministry of Health, 2015).

The recognition Recognition takes place by decree of the Ministry of Health, after consulting the Higher Health Council; the decree reports the name of the water, the source name, the place of use, particular hygienic characteristics, any health-promoting properties, and the indications and contraindications that may appear on the label; it is published in the Official Gazette and communicated to the European Commission (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 5).

The use of the source is then subject to regional authorization, issued after verifying that the facilities exclude any risk of pollution (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 6). The permitted operations comply with the directive, with an express prohibition of 'water treatment, the addition of bactericidal or bacteriostatic substances, and any other treatment likely to alter the natural mineral water's microflora' (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 8.4).

At the source and on the market, the water must be free from parasites and pathogenic microorganisms, free of Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci in 250 ml, of sulfite-reducing spore-forming anaerobes in 50 ml, and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 250 ml (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 9.4). The supervision belongs to the regions and local health authorities (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 16) and the penalties for those who bottle or sell without authorization range from 52,000 to 110,000 euros (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 33.1, lett. 'a').

Regarding labeling, the law allows qualifying water based on fixed residue at 180 °C:

• 'oligomineral' o 'slightly mineralized' if not exceeding 500 mg/l;
• 'minimally mineralized' if not exceeding 50 mg/l;
• 'rich in mineral salts' if exceeding 1,500 mg/l (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.2, lett. 'a', 'b', 'c').

Labels must indicate the analytical composition with the characteristic components, the date of analysis, and the laboratory that conducted them, to be updated at least every five years (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.1, lett. 'c' and 'd', and art. 12.6). For the rest, the general rules of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on consumer information apply.

Natural mineral water, drinking water and spring water

The difference between the two categories is legal and origin-based, even before qualitative. Waters intended for human consumption, the drinking waters, are regulated by Legislative Decree 23 February 2023, No. 18, which implemented Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and, from 21 March 2023, replaced Legislative Decree 31/2001. The decree sets parameter values and controls for network water, which can be treated and disinfected to guarantee microbiological and chemical safety, and expressly excludes from its scope natural mineral waters recognized under Legislative Decree 176/2011 (Legislative Decree 18/2023, art. 3.1, lett. ‘a’).

Natural mineral water follows the opposite path. The law states that natural mineral waters ‘are distinguished from ordinary drinking waters by their original purity and its preservation, by the content of minerals, trace elements or other constituents and, possibly, by some of their effects and that they 'must be kept safe from any risk of contamination' (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 2.2). It cannot be disinfected, retains its natural microflora and must be bottled at the source: transport of natural mineral water using containers other than those intended for the final consumer is prohibited (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 11.1; Directive 2009/54/EC, art. 3 and Annex II).

For drinking waters placed on the market – including those filtered and served in restaurants – it is prohibited to use indications, trademarks or images that may cause confusion with natural mineral waters and, in particular, the term 'mineral water' (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 18).

Alongside the two categories exists spring water, groundwater bottled at the source in its natural state, evaluated chemically according to the criteria for drinking waters and without the obligation of constant mineralization (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 20).

In summary, drinking water is a service that guarantees safety and accessibility, while natural mineral water is a food with a certified identity: protected underground origin, constant and recognized composition by decree, absence of treatments. It is this identity, verifiable on the label, that the Italian consumer values.

Still, sparkling and naturally effervescent, the legal denominations

The consumer distinguishes three categories, still, sparkling and natural effervescent, and the law translates them into precise mentions that integrate the denomination ‘natural mineral water’. The label may in fact include the descriptions:

• ‘natural effervescent’ o ‘naturally carbonated’ if the free carbon dioxide content, greater than 250 mg/l, is equal to that of the spring, taking into account any reintegration of gas from the same aquifer released in operations preceding bottling;
• ‘strengthened with gas from the spring’ if the free carbon dioxide content from the same aquifer or deposit is higher than that of the spring;
• ‘added carbon dioxide’ if carbon dioxide not drawn from the same aquifer has been added; ‘completely degassed’ o ‘partially degassed’ if the carbon dioxide present at the source has been removed totally or partially (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.1, lett. ‘a’). The directive provides corresponding sales denominations for effervescent waters defined in Annex I, part III, and the obligation to indicate total or partial degassing (Directive 2009/54/EC, art. 7.1).

Water still, which common language calls ‘natural’, is therefore a natural mineral water without mentions related to gas, since every mineral water by law ‘natural’, even when it is carbonated. The natural effervescent is a geological rarity, linked to aquifers crossing rocks of volcanic origin or deep faults from which carbon dioxide rises. The carbonated is a mineral water with added carbon dioxide, an operation allowed by law respecting the rules on food additives (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 8.3).

On the domestic market the still waters represent about 74% of volumes, slightly carbonated ones 2-3%, while sparkling waters are preferred in catering, where natural effervescent volumes have exceeded those of classic carbonated ones (Beverfood, 2026a). Light, oligomineral and minimally mineralized waters together exceed 70% of consumption (Beverfood, 2026a).

The indications and the claims allowed on mineral waters

Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims applies ‘without prejudice’ the provisions of the directive on natural mineral waters (Reg. EC 1924/2006, art. 1.5, letter ‘d’). Mineral waters are therefore not excluded from the regulation, but benefit from a special regime at two levels:

• the first level is the exhaustive list of indications of the directive, transposed into the Italian decree: 'containing bicarbonate' if the bicarbonate content is above 600 mg/l, 'sulfate' if sulfates exceed 200 mg/l, 'chloride' if chloride exceeds 200 mg/l, 'calcium' if calcium exceeds 150 mg/l, 'magnesium' if magnesium exceeds 50 mg/l, 'fluoridated' o 'containing fluorine' if fluorine exceeds 1 mg/l, 'ferruginous' o 'containing iron' if divalent iron exceeds 1 mg/l, 'acidulous' if free carbon dioxide exceeds 250 mg/l, 'sodium' if sodium exceeds 200 mg/l, ‘indicated for low sodium diets’ if sodium is less than 20 mg/l, in addition to 'microbiologically pure' (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.2, lett. 'd'-'p'; Dir. 2009/54/EC, art. 9.2 and Annex III);
• the second level concerns the mentions on health-promoting properties, allowed only if contained in the recognition decree: 'may have diuretic effects', 'may have laxative effects', 'indicated for infant feeding', 'indicated for the preparation of infant foods', 'stimulates digestion', 'may support hepatobiliary functions' and other similar mentions, provided they do not attribute to water the properties 'for the prevention, treatment, and cure of a human disease' (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.4).

Claims indicating the superiority of one water over others are prohibited (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.5) and advertising of health claims is subject to prior approval by the Ministry of Health (Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 19.2).

The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC) No 1924/06 applies in any case to the amounts of sodium: its annex reserves for waters other than natural mineral waters the threshold of 2 mg of sodium per 100 ml for the indication 'low sodium/salt content', compared to 0.12 g per 100 g or 100 ml provided for other foods, and prohibits for natural mineral waters and all other waters the indication 'very low sodium/salt content' (Reg. EC 1924/2006, Annex). Thus, for natural mineral waters the only allowed indication remains ‘indicated for low sodium diets’, reserved for levels below 20 mg/l (dir. 2009/54/CE, Annex III; Legislative Decree 176/2011, art. 12.2, lett. ‘o’).

The Court of Justice of the European Union has confirmed this arrangement and specified that sodium must be calculated in its total content, including sodium bicarbonate, and not only as sodium chloride, since packaging and advertising cannot lead consumers to believe that a water is low in sodium or salt when its total content exceeds 20 mg/l (Court of Justice of the European Union, 2015).

Finally, mineral waters may use the two health indications authorized for water as such: ‘water contributes to the maintenance of normal cognitive and physical functions’ and the claims on the maintenance of normal body temperature regulation, provided the consumer is informed that the effect is achieved with a daily intake of at least 2 liters of water from all sources (EU regulation 432/2012, Annex), based on the scientific opinion of EFSA (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies, 2011).

The biodiversity of Italian mineral waters

The Italy is a country of mineral waters for reasons geological. The Alpine and Apennine chains, large carbonate massifs, karstic structures, sandstone deposits and volcanic districts of Tuscany, Lazio, Campania and Sicily feed deep aquifers that, passing through different rocks, acquire different compositions. A study by the Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering of the CNR has built a geodatabase with the label data of over four hundred Italian natural mineral waters, relating their hydrochemical characterization with the geographical distribution and with the geological scenarios controlling the evolution of groundwater (Ciotoli & Guerra, 2016). A range emerges that goes from the minimally mineralized waters of the Alpine and Pre-Alpine massifs to the bicarbonate-calcium waters of the Apennines, from sulfate and chloride-sodium waters to natural effervescents rich in carbon dioxide of the volcanic districts, up toto oligomineral waters such as those of Fiuggi, classified as natural, spring, cold oligomineral waters (Belli, 2024).

This variety is reflected in the broad structure of the offer. According to Mineracqua, the Confindustria federation that associates companies of natural mineral and spring waters, more than 80 companies operate in Italy managing about 130 plants and bottle 230 different brands, present in all regions. The sector yearbook repertoire records 262 brands, with the highest concentrations in Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany, and Umbria (Beverfood, n.d.). It is a richness of types that, as the federation observes, few other countries can boast, and it is the basis of the product's distinctiveness in foreign markets.

A millenary history, from thermal baths to bottling

The use of Italian mineral waters predates their regulation by centuries. The properties of the waters of ancient Anticoli di Campagna, today's Fiuggi, began to be known at the end of the 13th century, when Pope Boniface VIII personally began to use them, and Michelangelo Buonarroti wrote about them later; however, true notoriety arrives from the second half of the 19th century, when the practice of bottling water and distributing it in Rome, Italy, and abroad was established, with a first bottling plant documented in bottling documented in 1887, the granting of the springs to the Fiuggi Joint-stock Company in 1907, and the new thermal plant inaugurated in 1911 (Belli, 2024). In the same period, the industry's historic brands were born: the water Ferrarelle from Riardo is bottled by 1893 (Ferrarelle, n.d.) and the company Sanpellegrino was founded in 1899 (Sanpellegrino, n.d.).

The legislator follows. The first organic rules on mineral waters are those of the royal decree of September 28, 1919, n. 1924 and the ministerial decree of January 20, 1927; directive 80/777/EEC of 1980 harmonizes European rules, implemented in Italy with legislative decree 105/1992; the 2009 recast and legislative decree 176/2011 complete the framework. The principle remains the same as a century ago: water must reach the consumer as it springs from the source, bottled at the place of emergence, without treatments that alter its identity.

Per capita consumption, in Italy, in Europe and in the world

In 2025 the Italian consumption of mineral water is estimated at 15.7 billion liters, compared to 15.55 billion in 2024, with a consumption per capita of about 266 liters per year, up from 263 the previous year, and an average expenditure below 100 euros per person per year (Beverfood, 2026a). The retail modern accounts for about 80% of the volumes, with supermarkets accounting for 48% and discount stores 30% of modern distribution; traditional retail and door-to-door represent a further 6%, and out-of-home, including bars, restaurants, canteens and vending machines, about 15% (Beverfood, 2026a). Mineral water is thus the most consumed food by Italians.

The European comparison confirms the lead. In Germany, the second largest continental market, the about 150 mineral springs sold just under 10.2 billion liters of mineral and curative waters in 2025, with a consumption of 128.8 liters per capita (Lebensmittel Praxis, 2026), less than half of the Italian figure.

Worldwide the picture changes scope: the United Nations University report estimates global sales of the three main types of still bottled water — mineral, natural and treated — at about 350 billion liters in 2021, valued close to 270 billion dollars, with over one million bottles sold per minute; the per capita leaders are Singapore and Australia, but concern mostly treated drinking waters, a category different from European natural mineral water, which is defined precisely by the absence of treatments (Bouhlel et al., 2023).

The Italian lead in natural mineral water consumption in the strict sense is explained by geological factors (the abundance of recognized springs), cultural (the centrality of water at the table) and commercial (the capillarity of distribution and the strength of brands).

The market: production, export and destinations

Taking into account domestic consumption and foreign trade, the Italian production of mineral waters for 2024 is estimated around 17.1 billion liters, with a export of about 1.9 billion liters, equal to the 11% of production, and marginal imports (Beverfood, 2025). The business turnover of producers has risen from 3.3 to 3.5 billion euros and eight major groups control about 69% of the market (Romeo, 2025). In modern distribution, the top three producers – Sant’Anna, San Pellegrino and San Benedetto – cover 32.8% of sales value, while store brands stop at 17.6% (Beverfood, 2026a). The structure remains fragmented, however, with over two hundred regional and local brands coexisting with national brands.

The export It is the most dynamic sector. According to data released by Mineracqua, in 2024 Italian mineral water exports reached a record value of 1 billion and 408 million euros, with an increase of 28.5% compared to 2023, the best result of the entire Italian food industry, after the +20.9% already recorded in 2023; volumes increased by 12.9%, indicating an appreciation of the unit value of the product in international markets (ANSA, 2025; Mineracqua, 2025). The data does not contradict the estimate of 1.9 billion liters reportedabove: the first figure measures the value in euros, recorded by the federation based on customs statistics, the second the volumes. However, value estimates vary depending on the product range considered, so much so that the industry yearbook values 2024 exports at about 883 million euros, equal to 0.47 euros per liter (Beverfood, 2025). The United States are the first outlet market, with 476.7 million euros and a growth of 28.5%, followed by France with 158.7 million, by Germany with 90.4 million (+36.5%) and by United Kingdom with 84 million (+165.8%); the European Union and the United Kingdom together are worth 491.7 million euros (ANSA, 2025). Premium sparkling and carbonated waters, with historic Made in Italy brands, drive sales in international catering, while the average export price is more than double that achieved on the domestic market (Beverfood, 2025). In 2025, despite tariffs, the mineral water and soft drinks sector was the only Italian beverage segment to grow in the United States, with +11.1%(Beverfood, 2026b).

Conclusions and perspectives

Italian natural mineral water combines a secular history, unparalleled geological biodiversity in Europe, and legal rigor that guarantees its identity: recognition by decree, original purity, bottling at the source, absence of treatments, mandatory label indications. The domestic market is mature but still growing, exports grow double digits, and the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom absorb the majority of foreign sales. The prospects for the coming years revolve aroundthree pillars: the packaging sustainability, with bottles made of recycled PET now allowed up to 100% of the material and continuous lightening of packaging (Beverfood, 2025); the internationalization, with the search for new outlets beyond the U.S. market; the diversification towards flavored, functional, and protein waters, premium references that do not fall within the category of natural mineral waters but expand its offer (Beverfood, 2026a).

Dario Dongo

References

European Union regulatory sources

Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health. Consolidated text: 20/08/2025. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432/2025-08-20

Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters (Recast). Official Journal of the European Union, L 164, 26.6.2009. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/54/oj

Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast). Official Journal of the European Union, L 435, 23.12.2020. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2020/2184/oj

Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. Consolidated text: 13/12/2014. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1924/2014-12-13

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. Consolidated text: 01/04/2025. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/2025-04-01

European Union case law

Court of Justice of the European Union. (2015). Judgment of the Court (Fourth Chamber) of 17 December 2015, case C-157/14, Neptune Distribution SNC v Ministre de l’Économie et des Finances, ECLI:EU:C:2015:823. https://curia.europa.eu/juris/documents.jsf?num=C-157/14

Italian regulatory sources

Legislative Decree October 8, 2011, no. 176. Implementation of Directive 2009/54/EC, on the use and marketing of natural mineral waters. Normattiva. Latest consolidated version: 11/30/2011. https://www.normattiva.it/eli/id/2011/11/05/011G0218/CONSOLIDATED

Legislative Decree February 23, 2023, no. 18. Implementation of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council, December 16, 2020, concerning the quality of water intended for human consumption. Normattiva. Latest consolidated version: 12/30/2025. https://www.normattiva.it/eli/stato/DECRETO_LEGISLATIVO/2023/02/23/18/CONSOLIDATED

Ministry of Health. (2015). Decree February 10, 2015. Criteria for evaluating the characteristics of natural mineral waters. Official Gazette, General series, no. 50 of March 2, 2015. https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2015/03/02/15A01419/sg

Scientific literature and opinions

Belli, G. (2024). Artifice and nature: the landscape of the thermal complex of Fonti Bonifacio VIII in Fiuggi (1963-69). History of Urban Planning, Special issue no. 3/2024, 100-111. https://doi.org/10.17401/su.s3.gb09

Bouhlel, Z., Köpke, J., Mina, M., & Smakhtin, V. (2023). Global bottled water industry: A review of impacts and trends. United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. https://doi.org/10.53328/AGYM7357

Ciotoli, G., & Guerra, M. (2016). Distribution and physico-chemical data of Italian bottled natural mineral waters. Journal of Maps, 12(5), 917-935. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2015.1096846

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. (2011). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to water and maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions (ID 1102, 1209, 1294, 1331), maintenance of normal thermoregulation (ID 1208) and “basic requirement of all living things” (ID 1207) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal, 9(4), 2075. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2075

Market data and trade associations

Beverfood. (2025, October 26). Beverfood.com: the Italian mineral water market grows to 15.2 billion liters in 2024 (+2.7%). https://www.beverfood.com/acque-minerali-italiane-crescono-2024/

Beverfood. (2026a, June 26). Mineral waters, 2025 figures: Italy at 15.7 billion liters and 266 liters per capita. https://www.beverfood.com/acque-minerali-italia-consumi-2025-primato/

Beverfood. (2026b). Mineral waters and soft drinks, the only Italian beverage growing in the USA despite tariffs. https://www.beverfood.com/acque-minerali-bibite-crescita-usa-dazi-2/

Beverfood. (n.d.). Packaged waters, brands by region / locality source. https://www.beverfood.com/marchi-acque-minerali/

Ferrarelle. (n.d.). Ferrarelle mineral water VAR 0.5 L. Environmental Product Declaration EPD-IES-0025678:001. The International EPD System. https://www.environdec.com/library/epd25678

Lebensmittel Praxis. (2026). Beverage industry: People in Germany drink more mineral water. https://lebensmittelpraxis.de/industrie-aktuell/47421-getraenkebranche-menschen-in-deutschland-trinken-mehr-mineralwasser.html

Mineracqua. (2025). Published the Acquitalia Yearbook 2025/2026 of the new Beverfood in collaboration with Mineracqua. https://www.mineracqua.it/pubblicato-lannuario-acquitalia-2025-2026-del-nuovo-beverfood-in-collaborazione-con-mineracqua/

Sanpellegrino. (n.d.). Tasteful Italian story. https://sanpellegrino.com/uk/node/91

Qualified press

ANSA. (2025, March 19). Italian mineral waters, 1.4 billion export but tariff alarm. https://www.ansa.it/canale_terraegusto/notizie/business/2025/03/19/acque-minerali-italiane-14-miliardi-export-ma-e-allarme-dazi_c6f40aae-ed52-4f64-b29a-02d5c2e8bbc6.html

Romeo, A. (2025, June 9). Mineral waters, best export of the entire food & beverage sector: +28.5%. Il Sole 24 Ore. https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/mineral-water-export-best-all-foodbeverage-sector-285percent-AHQ9975