Water quality in the food industry: what you need to know

In this blog, we answer the following questions:

• What is the scope of the new Royal Decree?
• What are the main changes compared to the previous decree of 14 January 2002 and the circular letter of 6 May 2020?
• When does the Royal Decree come into effect?

What is the scope of the Royal Decree?

The new decree applies to various categories of water within the food industry.

• Bottled water: water that is put into bottles or containers, such as spring water or table water.
• Water used industrially: water used in food businesses for the production, processing, storage and/or sale of food.
• Water supplies: water supplied to food businesses from tankers, tanker trucks or facilities other than the public distribution system, for the purposes mentioned above.

The main changes

The new decree introduces a risk-based approach. This applies specifically to all stages of water production and the water supply system, from the abstraction area to the point at which the parameter requirements must be met. This approach also includes the monitoring of relevant substances of concern.

Other important changes include:

• Results: food businesses must keep their results for four years instead of three.
• Parameters: the limits for certain substances have been adjusted and new parameters have been added. We have listed them below:

Effective date and transitional periods

Although the Royal Decree has been in force since 4 February 2024, transitional periods have been set for certain parameters and limits. Some key dates are:

• 12 July 2024: entry into force of the limits for PFAS and other substances.
• 12 January 2026: mandatory requirement for parameters such as Bisphenol A, uranium and total PFAS.
• 12 July 2027: risk-based approach for water abstraction areas, except for bottled water, for which it applies from 12 January 2025.

Conclusion

The new Royal Decree imposes stricter requirements on water quality within the food sector, with a focus on risk management and extensive monitoring of contaminants. Businesses in the sector need to be aware of these changes and adapt their processes to comply with the new standards.

Let’s meet

By following this new legislation, we can safeguard the safety and quality of our food supply. It is essential that all parties involved thoroughly inform themselves and prepare for the implementation of these new requirements. Need guidance? Let's meet!