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Saturday, Aug 09, 2025
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French Senate Report Alleges State Cover‑Up in Perrier ‘Natural Mineral Water’ Scandal
Inquiry finds unauthorized filtration, government concealment and ongoing probe into Nestlé’s Perrier brand
An upper‑house parliamentary report has concluded that the French government concealed the use of unauthorized filtering methods by Nestlé Waters, including on Perrier, once marketed as "natural mineral water".
The inquiry cites micro‑filtration below regulatory thresholds and approvals issued within high levels of the state.
Nestlé acknowledged using prohibited treatments, such as ultraviolet light and carbon filtration, and paid a two‑million‑euro fine.
The fraud is estimated to have involved more than three billion euros worth of products.
The report found that authorities received notice in at least 2022, though no legal action followed.
Separately, French authorities have ordered Nestlé to remove filtering equipment at Perrier’s source in Gard and have blocked use of the "natural mineral water" label pending a decision expected by early August.
The company has co‑operated with investigators and stated it continues using micro‑filtration widely regarded as standard in the industry.
Consumer and official pressure has followed the removal of nearly three million bottles from production last year after bacterial contamination was detected at the Vergèze site.
Sales of Perrier have reportedly fallen by around fourteen percent since the start of this year.
Nestlé’s offices in France are currently under search as part of an ongoing judicial investigation by authorities overseeing consumer and fraud matters.
The inquiry cites micro‑filtration below regulatory thresholds and approvals issued within high levels of the state.
Nestlé acknowledged using prohibited treatments, such as ultraviolet light and carbon filtration, and paid a two‑million‑euro fine.
The fraud is estimated to have involved more than three billion euros worth of products.
The report found that authorities received notice in at least 2022, though no legal action followed.
Separately, French authorities have ordered Nestlé to remove filtering equipment at Perrier’s source in Gard and have blocked use of the "natural mineral water" label pending a decision expected by early August.
The company has co‑operated with investigators and stated it continues using micro‑filtration widely regarded as standard in the industry.
Consumer and official pressure has followed the removal of nearly three million bottles from production last year after bacterial contamination was detected at the Vergèze site.
Sales of Perrier have reportedly fallen by around fourteen percent since the start of this year.
Nestlé’s offices in France are currently under search as part of an ongoing judicial investigation by authorities overseeing consumer and fraud matters.
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