[Primary or assortment identification of mineral waters. Research methods].

Unlabelled: Drinking water is one of the most important factors influencing the formation of the health and quality of life of the population. In recent years, there has been a steady trend towards an increase in the consumption of packaged drinking water, including mineral water, by the population. Identification and elimination of counterfeit products are necessary to improve product quality, protect consumers from substandard products and protect the rights of honest producers.

Objective: Conduct an assortment identification of packaged mineral water of a well-known brand according to the information indicated on the label to confirm its compliance with the declared name.

Material And Methods: The work was carried out at VNIIPBiVP, a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Center for Food Systems named after V.I. V.M. Gorbatov» RAS (Moscow). As objects of study, industrially bottled mineral natural medicinal table waters «Essentuki No. 4» from different manufacturers, packaged in consumer packaging made of polyethylene terephthalate and glass, were chosen. Water quality and compliance with the labeling were assessed by organoleptic indicators (transparency, color, taste and smell), basic composition and mineralization. The indicators were determined according to approved methods registered in the prescribed manner.

Results: Examination of the labeling of the studied samples showed the compliance of the name and purpose of mineral water with the requirements of the technical regulations. A physicochemical and organoleptic analysis of the studied mineral water was carried out according to the identification indicators indicated in the labeling.

Conclusion: Identifiable packaged mineral water according to the indicators indicated in the labeling meets the requirements for mineral natural drinking water «Essentuki No. 4».