Nestle is currently being investigated over suspected fraudulent practices by French prosecutors.
The revelation came to the fore on Wednesday, January 31, after the waters division of Swiss food giant Nestle admitted treating water for its top French brands including Perrier and Vittel.
The probe announced by prosecutors in the Epinal region of eastern France came after a government probe reported by media said almost one in three mineral water brands in France undergoes purification treatment supposed to be used only on tap water.
The investigation follows a complaint by France’s ARS health regulator, said prosecutor Frederic Nahon who spoke with AFP.
“Investigations are still in progress, in particular to establish whether the label ‘natural’ mineral water is misleading or not,” he added. Regional daily Vosges Matin said the investigation had been opened in January 2023.
Nestle Waters said this week that it had passed some waters, such as Perrier and Vittel, through ultraviolet light and active carbon filters “to guarantee food safety”.
Nestle said it “lost track of the importance of conforming to regulations” but that all the brands concerned now fulfil French requirements. French law based on a European Union directive bars disinfection of mineral water, which is supposed to be of naturally high quality before bottling.
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