The mineral water scandal exploded in France at the beginning of 2024, when an investigation by Le Monde and Radio France revealed that Nestlé Waters has illegally treated waters like PerrierVittel and Contrex, however labeling them as “natural minerals”.
These treatments, prohibited by European legislation, are not able, among other things, managed to prevent contamination from PFAS, pesticides and fecal bacteria, exposing millions of consumers to potential risks.
During the same year, one was established parliamentary commission of inquiry, in charge of deepening the responsibilities of the scandal. The final report, published in May 2025, revealed that the French government has attempted to minimize the seriousness of the situation, authorizing the censorship of key passages of the report of the Regional Health Agency of the Occitania, which denounced the contamination of the Perrier sources.
According to the report, for years Nestlé Waters has subjected the Perrier waters to a microfiltration treatment at 0.2 microns unauthorized, while continuing to sell them as “natural minerals”. A deception that would have guaranteed the billionaire profits to the company, leveraging consumer trust.
But let’s get to the point: and the revelations contained in the report of the commission of inquiry of the French Senate, nor have the government nor Nestlé have so far adopted concrete measures to protect citizens. This is why theConsumer Association UFC-STA CHOISIR has decided to actby launching a triple judicial offensive to request the immediate withdrawal of the Perrier bottles from the market, the ban on the sale and ascertainment of any crimes of fraud and corruption.
Three legal actions against Nestlé
The association has launched three legal actions to stop what he calls “a systemic commercial fraud”.
In addition to the violation of the regulations on the labeling, Que choisir Obviously he lashes out on the health safety of the product. The microfiltration process – precisely because it is not foreseen for mineral waters – could provide a false guarantee of quality, inducing consumers to choose Perrier believing to buy an uncontaminated and safe product.
There President of UFC-Squee Choisir, Marie-Amandine Stéveninsaid:
It is inconceivable that a water that does not respect the criteria of natural mineral waters, and that raises doubts on the health level, can continue to be sold impunity. Respect for rules and public health cannot be subject to the interests of multinationals.
For years, second Que choisirany attempt to clarify has been held back by a “rubber wall” composed of industrial pressure, aggressive lobbying and institutional complicities. The fact that such a widely distributed and advertised product may have escaped controls for over a decade raises disturbing questions about the functioning of the French food surveillance system – and perhaps also European.
But let’s see in more detail how the French consumers association has decided to act:
The hearing for the emergency procedure is set for the beginning of July. It could be the first step towards a legal action that, in addition to doing justice, puts the transparency and health of consumers back to the center.
