The emphasis here is on ‘natural’ and so no treatment of the water is allowed. The composition of the bottled water is therefore identical to that of the source water. Natural mineral water and natural spring water fall into this class.
The label must contain the following:
- The name of the product, which shall be ‘natural mineral water’ or ‘natural spring water’ or any appropriate name indicating the natural condition of the water.
- The physical address and the name of the source.
- The analytical composition in milligrams per litre (mg/l).
- The specification of the kind of natural water by the use of the expression “naturally-carbonated natural water’, ‘natural non-carbonated natural water’, ‘decarbonated natural water’ etc., which may be accompanied by further descriptive expressions such as ‘still’ and ‘sparkling’.
Water defined by origin includes:
- “rain, glacier, mist, and spring water.”
As a general rule these do require antimicrobial treatments, but no treatments are allowed that would alter the chemical composition of the water.
The label must contain the following:
- The name of the product, indicating its environmental source.
- Further descriptive expressions such as ‘naturally carbonated’ or ‘naturally sparkling’ or ‘with added carbon dioxide’ or ‘non-carbonated’ or non-sparkling’ or ‘still’.
- The physical address and the name of the source.
- The method of sanitation.
- The chemical composition of the water in milligrams per litre (mg/l).
Prepared water includes:
- “municipal, surface or ground water that has been purified by treatments that change the chemical composition of the water.”
In the case of municipal water, for instance, previously added chemicals such as fluoride are removed and minerals are added.
The label must contain the following:
- The name of the product, which shall be ‘prepared water’.
- Further descriptive expressions such as ‘carbonated’ or ‘sparkling’.
- Disinfection or treatment method used, e.g. re-mineralised, ozonated, pasteurised, reverse osmosis
- The chemical composition of the prepared water
- The phrase ‘from a public or private distribution system’ if the prepared water was supplied by a public or private tap-water distribution system.
How do I start a bottled water business in South Africa?
starting a bottled water business in south africa
- Market Research. It’s important to do a market research for your bottled water business.
- Write a business plan.
- Register your bottled water business.
- Registration with health regulatory agencies.
- You need a place to operate.
- Get a Bottle Supplier.