Hungarian mineral waters Hungary has extensive underground water reserves and a wealth of mineral and medicinal waters. These waters have a high mineral content, with number of components which have positive effects on the metabolism. The Carpathian Basin is unique in that the sedimentary rocks in the Earth's crust and the water reserves locked inside them are penetrated by more heat than elsewhere in the world: as a consequence Hungary is abundant in thermal water locations, and the country's mineral waters are characterised by relatively high mineral levels. Today, there are nearly 80 wells and springs producing certified natural mineral water in Hungary, and the water of 25 of these is bottled commercially. The total mineral content of natural mineral water can range roughly from 500 to 4,600 mg/l. According to their mineral composition, we distinguish mainly calcium, manganese, natrium, hydrogen-carbonate, chlorine, and sulphate waters, and varieties of these. These have relatively high fluorine levels. Hungary's mineral water legislation is similar to that of the European Union, and in fact even tougher. According to Hungarian legislation, only those waters qualify as 'natural mineral water' which satisfy the following criteria: Origin in a pollution-free water-yielding stratum; Stable composition within the limits of natural variance; Microbiologically pure (limits similar to those stipulated by EEC Directive 80/777); Bottled at source; Untreated, except for aeration; Officially certified. In addition, Hungarian regulation lay down a minimum total mineral content for such waters, as well as specifying the maximum content of each individual ingredient, similar to the natural mineral water standard adopted by the Committee of FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius. Hungarian limits are not yet identical with those set by the Codex but Hungarian mineral waters do comply with Codex norms in terms of composition.