There is no internationally unified standard for PFAS levels in drinking water. Each country, region, or organization sets its own limits based on its respective risk assessments and regulatory approaches. In the United States, no PFAS limits have been established for mineral water. The regulations apply only to tap water supplies.

For soft drinks other than mineral water, Japan’s manufacturing standards under the Food Sanitation Act require that the water used as a raw material must comply with either the standards for tap water or those for mineral water.

Therefore, the water used in soft drink production must meet the relevant PFOS and PFOA standards set for either tap water or mineral water.

Water used in food manufacturing, as defined under the Food Sanitation Act, is used for purposes such as washing and cooling food during production, processing, or cooking. Since it is not intended for direct consumption as a substitute for drinking water, PFOS and PFOA limits are not established currently.

At present, Japan has not established limits for PFAS other than PFOS and PFOA due to insufficient scientific data for risk evaluation.

With effect from the moment of implementation and a nine-month transition period, Japan has established a stringent PFOS and PFOA standard of 0.00005 mg/L for sterilized mineral water.

On June 30, 2025, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) issued an amendment to the Specifications and Standards for Food, Food Additives, Etc. The revision establishes a combined maximum limit of 0.00005 mg/L for PFOS and PFOA in sterilized or disinfected mineral water.

For mineral water products that are not sterilized or disinfected (excluding those with internal carbon dioxide pressure of 98 kPa or higher at 20°C), Japan’s manufacturing standards stipulate that the source water must not contain anthropogenic environmental contaminants. PFOS and PFOA fall under this category.

Therefore, the same PFOS and PFOA limit set for sterilized mineral water (combined 0.00005 mg/L) is considered an appropriate reference value for non-sterilized products as well.

The regulation takes effect on the date of the notification (June 30, 2025). However, products manufactured or imported before March 31, 2026, may continue to be processed, used, cooked, stored, or sold in accordance with the previous standards.

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