Senate Inquiry Uncovers Water Bottling Industry Practices and State Complicity
A report released on May 19, 2025, highlights illicit treatment practices in the bottled water sector, particularly involving Nestlé Waters, and criticizes the state's transparency and regulatory measures.
On May 19, 2025, a comprehensive report from a senate inquiry revealed that illicit treatments used in bottled mineral waters, particularly by Nestlé Waters, were subject to a 'cover-up by the state' demonstrating a 'deliberate strategy.' This inquiry stems from revelations made by the press in early 2024 regarding the use of prohibited treatments, including UV and activated carbon, in mineral water production.
The report states that both Nestlé Waters and the French state lacked transparency, failing to disclose crucial information to local and European authorities as well as to the French population.
The commission noted that despite ongoing discussions starting from a ministerial meeting on natural mineral waters in October 2021, transparency has yet to be fully realized nearly four years later.
Nestlé Waters claims it discovered the use of illicit treatments on its sites, including Perrier, Hépar, and Contrex, in late 2020. The company sought assistance from government authorities in mid-2021, citing the need to address health concerns during incidents of bacterial contamination in wells.
Eighteen months later, authorities approved a transformation plan for its sites, which involved replacing the banned treatments with a controversial fine microfiltration process that could potentially alter the mineral water's characteristics.
European law prohibits the disinfection or treatment of natural mineral water in ways that would modify its inherent properties.
The senate's report highlights that, despite consumer fraud concerns, judicial action regarding these allegations has not progressed since they emerged in 2021.
The inquiry's findings also criticized a shift in the dynamics between the state and water industry stakeholders, pointing out that Nestlé Waters had adopted a transactional approach, linking the approval of microfiltration to halting illegal treatments.
Ultimately, the decision to allow microfiltration below the threshold of 0.8 microns was reached at the highest state levels, following discussions led by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s cabinet.
Documents reviewed by the commission indicated that the presidency was aware of Nestlé Waters' actions at least since 2022. Although former presidential advisor Alexis Kohler engaged with Nestlé executives during this period, President Emmanuel Macron has denied any prior knowledge of the situation when questioned by the media.
The economic impact of this management has allowed Nestlé to continue marketing its product as 'natural mineral water,' amidst a lack of thorough verification of unauthorized treatments across all bottled water production sites.
The senate report outlined 28 recommendations, advocating for qualitative monitoring of water tables and more effective oversight of extraction levels by water bottlers, alongside enhanced consumer labeling.
Currently, Perrier is awaiting a decision from the Gard prefecture regarding its license renewal to operate as 'natural mineral water.' Preliminary reviews by state-commissioned hydrogeologists have already issued unfavorable opinions, and authorities have given Nestlé a two-month deadline to remove the microfiltration system, citing its impact on the microbiological properties of the water, which contradicts existing regulations.
Nestlé claims to have alternative solutions that they are prepared to present to government entities.
The French market for bottled and spring waters, comprising 104 sites and providing approximately 11,000 direct jobs, generates an annual turnover of about €3 billion.
Furthermore, a report commissioned by the government and conducted by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs revealed that approximately 30% of bottled water brands engaged in non-compliant treatments.
The report states that both Nestlé Waters and the French state lacked transparency, failing to disclose crucial information to local and European authorities as well as to the French population.
The commission noted that despite ongoing discussions starting from a ministerial meeting on natural mineral waters in October 2021, transparency has yet to be fully realized nearly four years later.
Nestlé Waters claims it discovered the use of illicit treatments on its sites, including Perrier, Hépar, and Contrex, in late 2020. The company sought assistance from government authorities in mid-2021, citing the need to address health concerns during incidents of bacterial contamination in wells.
Eighteen months later, authorities approved a transformation plan for its sites, which involved replacing the banned treatments with a controversial fine microfiltration process that could potentially alter the mineral water's characteristics.
European law prohibits the disinfection or treatment of natural mineral water in ways that would modify its inherent properties.
The senate's report highlights that, despite consumer fraud concerns, judicial action regarding these allegations has not progressed since they emerged in 2021.
The inquiry's findings also criticized a shift in the dynamics between the state and water industry stakeholders, pointing out that Nestlé Waters had adopted a transactional approach, linking the approval of microfiltration to halting illegal treatments.
Ultimately, the decision to allow microfiltration below the threshold of 0.8 microns was reached at the highest state levels, following discussions led by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s cabinet.
Documents reviewed by the commission indicated that the presidency was aware of Nestlé Waters' actions at least since 2022. Although former presidential advisor Alexis Kohler engaged with Nestlé executives during this period, President Emmanuel Macron has denied any prior knowledge of the situation when questioned by the media.
The economic impact of this management has allowed Nestlé to continue marketing its product as 'natural mineral water,' amidst a lack of thorough verification of unauthorized treatments across all bottled water production sites.
The senate report outlined 28 recommendations, advocating for qualitative monitoring of water tables and more effective oversight of extraction levels by water bottlers, alongside enhanced consumer labeling.
Currently, Perrier is awaiting a decision from the Gard prefecture regarding its license renewal to operate as 'natural mineral water.' Preliminary reviews by state-commissioned hydrogeologists have already issued unfavorable opinions, and authorities have given Nestlé a two-month deadline to remove the microfiltration system, citing its impact on the microbiological properties of the water, which contradicts existing regulations.
Nestlé claims to have alternative solutions that they are prepared to present to government entities.
The French market for bottled and spring waters, comprising 104 sites and providing approximately 11,000 direct jobs, generates an annual turnover of about €3 billion.
Furthermore, a report commissioned by the government and conducted by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs revealed that approximately 30% of bottled water brands engaged in non-compliant treatments.
