You may remember the scandal that hit Nestlé Waters in 2024, when an investigation revealed that some of the group’s mineral waters contained bacteriological contamination. Among the brands involved stood out Perrier, the famous sparkling water brand, as well as Vittel, Contrex and Hépar.
The discovery of these contaminations had triggered real alarm among consumers and led several organizations to take action to prevent some of these waters from being sold as natural minerals.
The Perrier case had caused particular outcry and the French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir had denounced Nestlé Waters, claiming that the company had applied prohibited treatments to try to correct the impurities present in the water. Second Que Choisir, this practice would have transformed natural mineral waters into treated water, deceiving consumers and generating billions in profits.
Que Choisir’s complaint
The consumer association started an emergency procedure in the Nanterre court in June 2025, calling for the immediate recall of all bottles of Perrier and a temporary ban on their sale as natural mineral waters.
The main accusation concerned the use of microfiltration systems. Nestlé initially applied 0.2 micron filters, which were considered non-compliant with natural mineral water regulations, and subsequently replaced them with 0.45 micron filters.
Que Choisir he argued that these operations, although declared as “non-disinfectant”, still represented a treatment of the water that could have altered its microbial composition. According to the association, millions of bottles produced with the old system were still on the shelves and continued to be sold as natural mineral water, effectively deceiving consumers.
The court ruling
On 18 November 2025 the court of Nanterre rejected the requests of Que Choisir. The judges ruled that there was insufficient evidence of an urgent health risk and that a violation had not been demonstrated so serious as to justify an immediate recall of the bottles. As a result, Perrier can continue to be sold as natural mineral water and more Que Choisir will have to pay Nestlé’s legal costs.
Nestlé is obviously pleased with the ruling and a company spokesperson said:
We welcome the court’s decision to dismiss all of UFC-Que Choisir’s claims in this case. Today’s decision confirms that the food safety of Perrier natural mineral waters has always been guaranteed.
A scandal still open
Despite the favorable ruling for the company, the matter is not over. Several issues remain open: the criminal investigation against Nestlé Waters, the verification of the conformity of the new filters and the evaluation of the authorizations necessary for the operation of the Vergèze plant as a source of natural mineral water.
A report from the Occitania Regional Health Agency, dated August 2024, had reported persistent contamination in the wells and highlighted the possibility of interrupting Perrier’s production, urging the company to consider alternative food uses with additional safety guarantees. Nestlé has already started to move in this direction and from spring 2024 it launched the Maison Perrier range, flavored sparkling waters sold as drinking waters and no longer as natural minerals.
The court ruling allows Perrier to remain on shelves under the definition of “natural mineral water”, but does not resolve doubts about the processes adopted in the past. Consumers continue to demand transparency: to know where the water comes from, how it is treated and whether the label really corresponds to the contents of the bottle.
Sources: Que Choisir / Reuters
