Water Fraud: foodwatch files new lawsuits against Nestlé and Sources Alma

After a French court recently dropped a case against Nestlé, foodwatch has filed new lawsuits in Paris, targeting Nestlé as well as Sources Alma, the producer of Cristaline, the best-selling water in France. The European consumer organization accuses the companies of using prohibited methods to treat mineral water. The allegations include the use of UV and carbon filters, as well as adding iron sulfate and carbon dioxide – all of which are banned for "natural mineral water." Well-known brands such as Perrier, Vittel, and Cristaline are affected.

99 minutes for a ridiculous fine

foodwatch had already sued Nestlé in February. However, the competent court in Epinal, where Nestlé has factories in the Vosges, recently dropped the case – in return for a fine of two million euros. In foodwatch's view, such a fine has no deterrent effect for a company like Nestlé. For comparison: in 2023, the food manufacturer made a profit of 11.2 billion Swiss francs. To earn the fine that has now been imposed, Nestlé needs the equivalent of just 99 minutes.  Over the years of the fraud, Nestlé sold more than 18 billion bottles of ‘natural’ mineral water, according to media reports. This earned the company 3 billion euros.

The French court had even offered in advance to pay foodwatch greater compensation from Nestlé - if the organisation agreed to discontinue the proceedings in return. This was rejected by foodwatch. 

foodwatch calls for appointment of an investigating judge

The European consumer organization also called on the French government to finally answer all open questions in the case. The French government has come under scrutiny for its role in the scandal. Although authorities were aware of the illegal practices for months, they failed to inform the European Commission or other EU countries. foodwatch is now calling for an investigation into the French government’s handling of the case and insists that these fraudulent practices must be thoroughly investigated and stopped.

Sources and further information 

• Answer from the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides to foodwatch, 04 April 2024.
• The "sanitary quality" of Nestlé mineral waters is not guaranteed, according to a confidential memo from Anses, Le Monde, 04/04/2024.
• Hepar, Perrier, Vittel, Contrex... The health quality of Nestlé group water "not guaranteed" according to an expert report submitted to the government, France Info, 04/04/2024 .
• Letter from foodwatch to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, 19 February 2024.
• Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters
• The four criteria of food fraud: breach of regulations, misleading consumers, economic gain, intentionality
• Food scandal: Cristaline, Perrier, Vichy, Vittel, etc. illegally filtered water. foodwatch is going to lodge a complaint and questions the role of the State, press release,30/01/2024
• Article "Eaux en bouteille : des pratiques trompeuses à grande échelle" published on 30 January 2024 by Le Monde
• Article "Nestlé et d’autres industriels ont purifié illégalement de l’eau contaminée pour continuer de la vendre " published on 30 January 2024 by Radio France
• Book-investigation "Manger du faux pour de vrai. Les scandales de la fraude alimentaire" (Robert Laffont)
• Petition (in French) "Stop food scandals: more controls, transparency and sanctions"