Azerbaijan approves sanitation rules for natural mineral waters

Azerbaijan’s Food Safety Agency has approved new sanitary regulations for natural mineral waters, setting quality and safety standards for both domestic and imported products intended for human consumption.

The rules define minimum physical, chemical, and microbiological criteria, as well as requirements for packaging, labeling, and distribution. Waters used for therapeutic or irrigation purposes are excluded from the regulations.

Natural mineral waters must have a stable mineral composition, constant temperature, and be microbiologically clean. Only carbon dioxide (CO₂) may be added, with restrictions on impurities such as carbon monoxide. CO₂ removal is permitted solely through physical methods, after which the product must be labeled as “non-carbonated” or “partially decarbonated natural mineral water.”