Paris: Consumer watchdog Foodwatch is initiating legal proceedings against Nestle, the renowned food giant, and the Sources Alma group over accusations of fraudulent water treatment for their leading mineral water brands.
The move comes in the wake of a government investigation revealing that approximately 30% of mineral water sold in France underwent purification treatment intended solely for tap water.
The legal complaint, filed in a Paris court by Foodwatch, targets Nestle Waters, responsible for brands like Perrier and Vittel, and the Sources Alma group, owner of various water labels. Foodwatch contends that Nestle Waters and Sources Alma engaged in the "massive fraud" of unlawfully processing and selling bottled waters without adequately informing consumers, reported AFP.
"This is a massive fraud for which Nestle Waters, the Sources Alma group, and the French government must answer," stated Foodwatch, emphasising that no entity, not even a multinational corporation like Nestle, is exempt from legal scrutiny.
The NGO alleges that Nestle Waters and Sources Alma violated the law by subjecting their bottled waters to illegal processing and then distributing them without proper disclosure to consumers. French law, aligned with a European Union directive, prohibits the purification of mineral water, which is expected to maintain natural high-quality standards before bottling.
French prosecutors initiated an investigation last month following a complaint by France's ARS health regulator. Reports from Le Monde and Radio France, based on a government inquiry in 2022, indicated that nearly 30% of commercial mineral water brands underwent non-compliant treatments.
Nestle Waters defended its practices, explaining that it utilised ultraviolet light and active carbon filters on certain top brands, such as Perrier and Vittel, to ensure food safety. The company claimed to have informed French authorities about these processes in 2021. A government source affirmed that no health risks related to bottled water had been identified.
In addition to the legal action, Foodwatch has written to the European Commission, criticising the alleged complacency of France and urging the country to alert European authorities and other member states importing the affected waters. The watchdog seeks accountability for what it perceives as a violation of regulations governing the quality and treatment of mineral water.