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Perrier carbonated mineral water. Credit: NeydtStock \/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n
French authorities have ordered Nestl\u00e9 to remove system filters from its Verg\u00e8ze and Vosges sites in France, which produce bottled water brands such as Perrier and Contrex.<\/p>\n
According to Le Monde, the prefecture of the Gard region demanded yesterday (7 May) that the Swiss food and drinks giant stop using \u201c0.2 micron diameter filters\u201d at its Perrier plant in Verg\u00e8ze, and that it had two months to remove them.<\/p>\n
The Vosges prefecture also sent the same demand to the company regarding its site in Vosges which produces Vittel, Contrex and H\u00e9par bottled waters. <\/p>\n
Nestl\u00e9\u2019s waters unit told Just Drinks it was \u201cdetermined to seek solutions to the requests of the Prefects of the Gard and Vosges to withdraw, within two months, the 0.2 micron microfiltration\u201d.<\/p>\n
It said in a brief statement that a \u201ctechnical solution\u201d had already been found for the Vosges location, which will impact Contrex and H\u00e9par, but the plan still \u201cmust be validated by authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Vittel brand \u201cis not affected by this type of microfiltration\u201d, the group said.<\/p>\n
The Milo producer also noted it was looking to find a solution for the Verg\u00e8ze location which would allow it to continue using a natural mineral water source for its Perrier products. <\/p>\n
It added that both prefectures \u201cemphasise the health compliance of all products marketed to date\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Acqua Panna maker has had its water production under scrutiny since January last year, when it\u00a0admitted to breaching regulations<\/a>\u00a0in France regarding how it treats bottled mineral water against contamination.<\/p>\n In April, Nestl\u00e9\u2019s CEO Laurent Freixe told French senators the company would be starting an internal audit<\/a> of its water production in France.<\/p>\n Speaking to the Senate in a hearing, he said the review would take \u201ca few months\u201d to complete and that it was \u201cessential if we are to learn all the lessons we need to, and I will draw all the necessary conclusions from it\u201d.<\/p>\n In his opening remarks, Freixe said its waters division had been informed about an \u201cunfavourable opinion\u201d from a hydrogeologists\u2019 report on the continued use of wells for natural mineral water production at its Verg\u00e8ze facility in the Gard region of southern France.<\/p>\n The Senate\u2019s findings from the inquiry are due on 19 May.<\/p>\n Last year, Nestl\u00e9 confirmed its waters business had used different purification treatments on products labelled as \u201cmineral water\u201d, including those sold under brands such as Perrier and Vittel, which are produced at its Verg\u00e8ze and Vosges facilities in France.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Le Monde\u00a0at the time, Nestl\u00e9 reportedly used disinfectants \u201cdue to sporadic bacterial or chemical contamination\u201d, which are not permitted under French law on products labelled as \u2018spring\u2019 or \u2018mineral\u2019 water.<\/p>\n In a statement, Nestl\u00e9 then said it used \u201cmicrofiltration at [its] waters sites at a finer level than was previously recognised by the French authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have also used activated carbon filters and ultraviolet systems which, though permitted by other jurisdictions, are not in line with applicable French natural mineral water regulations,\u201d Nestl\u00e9 added.<\/p>\n It said it had \u201cproactively\u201d reported this to the French authorities in 2021 and \u201cpresented them with several options to ensure compliance moving forward\u201d.<\/p>\n France\u00a0launched the parliamentary inquiry<\/a>\u00a0into the company\u2019s domestic water business in April last year.<\/p>\n In December<\/a>, a confidential report from L\u2019Agence R\u00e9gional de Sant\u00e9 Occitanie (ARS) suggested Nestl\u00e9\u2019s waters division should consider ceasing production at its Verg\u00e8ze site due to health risks.<\/p>\n Viewed by\u00a0Le Monde\u00a0and\u00a0Radio France, the report allegedly recommended \u201cstopping production of mineral water at the Verg\u00e8ze site\u201d in the south of France.<\/p>\n Nestl\u00e9 and its local peer Sources Alma are also said to be facing a judicial probe by the Paris court, launched\u00a0in February<\/a>\u00a0over treatment of their bottled waters.<\/p>\n A judge from the public health division of the Paris judicial court opened an investigation into both groups, a judicial source informed local outlets\u00a0Le Monde\u00a0and\u00a0Radio France.<\/p>\n The reported opening of an investigation follows the re-submission of two complaints against Nestl\u00e9 Waters France and Sources Alma by non-profit group Foodwatch\u00a0last year<\/a>, which included accusations of \u201cdeception\u201d.<\/p>\n In September, Nestl\u00e9 agreed a settlement and a \u20ac2m ($2.2) fine with French authorities over claims of breaching laws on mineral water and illegal drilling.<\/p>\n Foodwatch condemned the court\u2019s decision at the time. The NGO\u2019s director of public information, Ingrid Kragl, then said the move was \u201ca scandalous decision that sends a very bad message about the climate of impunity\u201d.<\/p>\n \n Sign up for our daily news round-up! Just Drinks Excellence Awards – Have you nominated?<\/p>\n Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Drinks Excellence Awards<\/strong><\/a> – one of the industry’s most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact<\/strong>. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements<\/strong>, and gain global recognition<\/strong>. Don’t miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best – submit your nomination today!<\/p>\n![\"Email](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746707888_170_newsletter-new.svg.svg+xml\")
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