According to new information, springs supplying several of Nestlé’s brands were significantly contaminated. Nestlé’s bottled waters must be recalled immediately!
Today, journalists from Radio France and Le Monde have revealed further information about the bottled water scandal in France. According to the new information released, the water concerned presented a health risk, and the French authorities knew about it. The French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses) warned the government about it last October. In their report, the agency questioned whether the water was safe to drink, pointing out problematic contamination, including faecal matter or Escherichia coli bacteria “in sometimes high concentrations”, pesticides, and other pollutants such as PFAS. This situation was made possible, because the water was illegally processed, which changed its natural makeup. The water was then sold without any warning to consumers.
Since Anses stresses an “insufficient level of confidence” to “guarantee the health quality of finished products”, foodwatch demands that the bottled water needs to be taken off the shelves and that all importing countries are informed as soon as possible.
Nestlé’s springs plagued by severe contamination
According to the Anses report obtained by the journalists, springs supplying several of Nestlé’s brands (including Hépar, Perrier, and Vittel) were significantly contaminated. In particular, the Perrier brand’s water sources are almost entirely contaminated with chemicals.
Why have these warnings from the Anses been ignored by the French authorities since last October? What health risks have we been exposed to, and for how long? Why has Nestlé Waters been able to continue marketing its fraudulent waters? Why hasn’t the French government communicated anything to consumers, or even told the European Commission? According to foodwatch, which has lodged a complaint against Nestlé Waters and Sources Alma on nine counts of massive fraud, the lack of transparency is not only on the part of Nestlé Waters and Sources Alma, but also of the French authorities, and it raises several serious questions.
“Nestlé’s bottled waters must be recalled, and the other Member States of the EU must be informed now! The European Water Directive is crystal clear: When mineral water is polluted, there is no doubt that bottling and marketing must be suspended.”
– Ingrid Kragl Information Director at foodwatch and an expert on food fraud
Stricter food safety regulations are needed
foodwatch will continue to promote consumer rights and advocate for more stringent controls, transparent information, and effective penalties for those who disregard food safety regulatory obligations.
Over 69,000 people have already signed a French petition, which is being sent to ministers Bruno Le Maire and Marc Fesneau every day. Join us in this fight for transparency and accountability in the food industry and sign the petition too.
“STOP FOOD SCANDALS: MORE CONTROLS, TRANSPARENCY AND SANCTIONS!”
Sources and further information
- Answer from the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides to foodwatch, 04 April 2024.
- The “sanitary quality” of Nestlé mineral waters is not guaranteed, according to a confidential memo from Anses, Le Monde, 04/04/2024.
- Hepar, Perrier, Vittel, Contrex… The health quality of Nestlé group water “not guaranteed” according to an expert report submitted to the government, France Info, 04/04/2024 .
- Letter from foodwatch to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, 19 February 2024.
- Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters
- The four criteria of food fraud: breach of regulations, misleading consumers, economic gain, intentionality
- Food scandal: Cristaline, Perrier, Vichy, Vittel, etc. illegally filtered water. foodwatch is going to lodge a complaint and questions the role of the State, press release,30/01/2024
- Article “Eaux en bouteille : des pratiques trompeuses à grande échelle” published on 30 January 2024 by Le Monde
- Article “Nestlé et d’autres industriels ont purifié illégalement de l’eau contaminée pour continuer de la vendre ” published on 30 January 2024 by Radio France
- Book-investigation “Manger du faux pour de vrai. Les scandales de la fraude alimentaire” (Robert Laffont)
- Petition (in French) “Stop food scandals: more controls, transparency and sanctions”