Press Release 19.07.2024

New revelations in the mineral water scandal: Nestlé has apparently been using illegal filtering methods for decades

The mineral water scandal surrounding Nestlé is expanding: New media investigations in France show that the food company has apparently been filtering contaminated water using illegal methods since the 1990s and still selling it as “natural mineral water”, without informing consumers. In the past 15 years alone, the fraud amounts to a total of 3 billion euros, as reported by the independent research platform Mediapart in France. foodwatch called on the authorities to finally draw legal consequences from the case. The international consumer organization filed a lawsuit against Nestlé and the mineral water producer Sources Alma in France in February. Next week, the European Commission intends to publish its investigation report on the actions of the French authorities in the case.

“Nestlé has apparently sold billions of bottles of water that had nothing to do with ‘natural mineral water’ for decades: in France, Europe and even worldwide – and consumers were completely clueless. If the new media reports are confirmed, there is only one conclusion: the mineral water scandal is the result of decades of systematic fraud by the food giant. The authorities must now act quickly. A judicial investigation is now needed. Nestlé is not above the law”, said Ingrid Kragl from foodwatch France.

In the past months, media investigations had revealed that mineral water sources in France were contaminated with faeces, Escherichia coli bacteria, PFAS and pesticides. Companies such as Nestlé had filtered the water in an illegal manner and continued to sell it as “natural mineral water” – a clear case of food fraud. In addition, the French food safety authorities also pointed out possible health risks months ago, as the media also brought to light. However, there was no public recall or warning to the authorities in other EU countries. The European Commission launched an investigation into the case. The report is due to be published on Wednesday, July 24. 

According to the relevant EU directive, “natural mineral water” must meet certain criteria: It is of pristine purity and comes from underground water sources that are protected from contamination. Only a few treatment processes are permitted in the production and processing of natural mineral water, but not the methods used by Nestlé and Sources Alma.

Sources and additional information