Improving the taste of water (the taste of chlorine in particular), the elimination of limestone or certain metals such as lead are among the claims of the manufacturers of filter jugs. These arguments seem to have seduces water drinkers since 20% of French households are now equipped with a filter jug.
Corn, “given the reports of the release of undesirable substances into the water by these devices to the General Directorate for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) and questions asked about their safety and effectiveness, ‘ANSES took its own initiative in order to assess the safety and efficacy of filter jugs “ explains the Agency.
No health risk identified …
The use of filter jugs can lead to the release of various contaminants (silver, sodium, potassium, ammonium ions) in the drinking water, to a lowering of the pH, or even to an alteration of the microbiological quality of the water. However, the data currently available do not make it possible to demonstrate a risk to the health of the consumer.
However, ANSES considers that the efficacy claims should systematically be verified by standardized tests and the parameters observed should appear on the packaging and / or instructions for use of the filter cartridges.
… but the usual precautions to be observed
ANSES recommends that users of filter jugs:
• follow the instructions for cleaning the carafe, replacing the cartridge regularly, bringing filtered water into contact with certain metal or ceramic utensils, feeding infants;
• consult a doctor if users follow a controlled diet, particularly low in sodium or potassium;
• keep the filter jug and its water in the refrigerator and consume the filtered water quickly, ideally within 24 hours after filtration;
• pay particular attention to the efficiency claims of the jugs displayed by the manufacturers (display of the parameters for which compliance with the standard has been verified).
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