This article is a Q&A format explanatory document published by the Consumer Affairs Agency in July 2025 regarding "Standards for PFOS and PFOA in Mineral Water," providing detailed explanations about the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Key Points
Standard Values for Mineral Water
- For sterilized or sanitized mineral water, a standard value of 0.00005 mg/L (50 ng/L) is set for the combined total of PFOS and PFOA
- Standard values are set based on the same approach as water quality standards for tap water under the Water Supply Act
- Calculated assuming daily water consumption of 2L per person, average body weight of 50kg, and water-based exposure accounting for 10% of TDI (Tolerable Daily Intake)
- Non-sterilized or non-sanitized mineral water is managed under manufacturing standards that prohibit the inclusion of anthropogenic environmental pollutants
Comparison with International Regulations
- Japan: Standard value of 50 ng/L for combined PFOS and PFOA in tap water and mineral water
- WHO: Proposed provisional guideline values of 100 ng/L each for PFOS and PFOA, and 500 ng/L for all PFAS (announced continuation of review in November 2023)
- EU: Set 500 ng/L for PFAS Total and 100 ng/L for Sum of PFAS (20 types combined) (compliance by January 12, 2026)
- USA: Standard values of 4.0 ng/L each for PFOS and PFOA for tap water only (considering extending compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031)
PFAS Characteristics and Regulatory Background
- More than 10,000 types of PFAS exist, consisting of carbon and fluorine, resistant to hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial degradation, and metabolism
- PFOS and PFOA have properties of persistence, high bioaccumulation, and long-range transport
- Added to POPs Convention in 2009 and 2019 respectively; designated as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under Japan's Chemical Substances Control Law in 2010 and 2021
- Used in semiconductor anti-reflective agents, metal plating agents, foam fire extinguishing agents, fluoropolymer processing aids, etc.
Regulations for Other Foods and Water
- Non-mineral water soft drinks must use water that meets tap water or mineral water standards as raw materials
- No standards are currently set for water used in food manufacturing, but voluntary management is recommended
- Standards have not been set for PFAS other than PFOS and PFOA due to insufficient knowledge for evaluation
Future Response Policy
- The Food Safety Commission has established Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for PFOS and PFOA
- Continued information dissemination on PFAS by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of the Environment, Food Safety Commission, etc.
- Monitoring future evaluations by the Food Safety Commission, drinking water quality standards, and deliberations on Codex standards
- For mineral water with carbon dioxide pressure of 98kPa or higher in containers, voluntary management and consideration of reduction measures are desirable
The article explains that Japan is implementing regulations for PFOS and PFOA in mineral water at standards equivalent to tap water to protect consumer health, establishing an appropriate management system while considering international regulatory trends.