Latest news with #NestleWaters
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Perrier scandal bubbles up as French parliament slams cover-up
The French government "at the highest level" covered up a scandal over the treatment of mineral water by food giant Nestle, including the iconic Perrier brand, an investigation by France's upper house of parliament said Monday. In recent years the Swiss food and drinks conglomerate has been under pressure over its Perrier and other brands as EU regulations strictly limit what treatments are allowed for any product marketed as natural mineral water. "In addition to Nestle Waters' lack of transparency, it is important to highlight the state's lack of transparency, both towards local and European authorities and towards the French people," said the report by a commission of inquiry of the French Senate. The report follows a six-month-long Senate inquiry involving more than 70 hearings. "This concealment is part of a deliberate strategy, addressed at the first interministerial meeting on natural mineral waters on October 14, 2021," said the report. "Nearly four years later, transparency has still not been achieved," said the report. Perrier -- one of the most famous mineral waters in the world, obtained from a spring in southern France and traditionally served on ice with a slice of lemon -- was acquired by Nestle in the early 1990s. - 'Highest level of the state' - In late 2020, new management at Nestle Waters claims to have discovered the use of prohibited treatments for mineral water at its Perrier, Hepar and Contrex sites. The company reached out to the government to submit a plan to tackle the problem in mid-2021, and the Elysee Palace afterwards. Eighteen months later, a plan to replace prohibited ultraviolet treatments and activated carbon filters with microfiltering was approved by the authorities. The method can be used to remove iron or manganese but the producer has to prove that the water has not been altered. European law stipulates that natural mineral waters cannot be disinfected or treated in any way that alters its characteristics. The report said that "despite the consumer fraud represented by water disinfection", the authorities have not taken legal action in response to the 2021 revelations. "It was at the highest level of the state that the decision to authorise micro-filtration below the 0.8-micron threshold was taken," the report said. - 'Known since 2022' - "We understand better why the French government did not inform the European Commission -- it was clearly too busy covering up a massive fraud," said Ingrid Kragl of the NGO Foodwatch, claiming the cover-up "allowed Nestle to sell fraudulent products and deceive consumers". The independent food monitor has filed a complaint against Nestle Waters, accusing it of deceiving consumers. An investigation has been launched by a Parisian judge. During her hearing before the committee on March 19, Nestle Waters chief executive Muriel Lienau stated that "all" of the group's waters were "pure at the source". But on Monday senator Antoinette Guhl announced that she was taking legal action over this comment for "possible perjury". In a statement, Lienau said she acknowledged the report, which "recognises the importance of sectoral issues requiring regulatory clarification and a stable framework applicable to all." Nestle Waters also insisted that it had "never contested" the legitimacy of the Senate's work. Nestle has already been under pressure in France after its French subsidiary was charged in a case involving contaminated Buitoni-branded pizzas that are suspected of having led to the death of two children in 2022. The move to allow microfiltration was in line with decisions taken by the authorities, including the office of then-prime minister Elisabeth Borne, even though she did not appear to have been informed, the report added. The commission also charged that President Emmanuel Macron's office "had known, at least since 2022, that Nestle had been cheating for years". Alexis Kohler, then secretary general at the Elysee who stepped down earlier this year after eight years in the post, had met with Nestle executives. Macron in February denied any acknowledgement of the case. In 2024, Nestle Waters admitted using banned filters and ultra-violet treatment on mineral waters. The company paid a two-million-euro ($2.2-million) fine to avoid legal action over the use of illegal water sources and filtering. It said at the time though that the replacement filters were approved by the government and that its water was "pure". cho-bur-as-sjw/as/phz
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
An inquiry says France's government covered up Nestle's illegal treatment of bottled water
PARIS (AP) — The government of French President Emmanuel Macron covered up decisions over the illegal treatment of mineral water by food industry giant Nestle, including the world-famous Perrier brand, a Senate inquiry commission said Monday. Its report focused on Nestle's years of use of treatments to avoid bacterial or chemical contamination of water labeled as 'natural mineral water' or 'spring water' for brands also including Contrex, Vittel and Hépar. Such treatments are prohibited under French and European regulations. The report concluded that France's government had concealed 'illegal practices.' 'In addition to Nestle Waters' lack of transparency, the French government's lack of transparency must also be highlighted,' it said. French media reported the banned treatments last year. Nestle paid a fine to avoid legal action The report noted a 'deliberate strategy' of concealment since the first government meeting on the issue in October 2021. Months later, authorities agreed to a Nestle plan to replace the banned treatments with microfiltering. Nestle did not immediately respond to a request for comment. France's government did not immediately comment. Last year, the Swiss company publicly acknowledged having used treatments on mineral waters and agreed to pay a 2 million euro fine ($2.2 million) to avoid legal action. The inquiry commission interviewed more than 120 people including Nestle's CEO and top managers. One refused to speak to it: Alexis Kohler, then-secretary general of the Elysee presidential palace, who the report said has spoken several times with Nestle executives by phone or in person. The commission concluded 'that the presidency of the republic had known, at least since 2022, that Nestle had been cheating for years.' Asked about scandal in February, Macron said he was 'not aware of these things ... There is no collusion with anyone.' Fraud estimated to be worth over $3 billion Alexandre Ouizille, the commission's rapporteur, said the total amount of the fraud has been estimated at over 3 billion euros ($3.38 billion) by France's agency in charge of fraud control. Natural mineral water is sold about 100 to 400 times the price of tap water, he said, denouncing 'misleading of consumers.' Ouizille described a Nestle plant in southern France the commission visited where there were 'sliding cabinets behind which illegal treatments were carried out.' The report said Nestle argued there was a risk of job losses if the government did not authorize some kind of treatment or microfiltration, because its plants would have to close due to spring water being contaminated by bacteria like E. coli that can cause serious illness and death. Laurent Burgoa, the president of the commission, said there has been no proven harm to the health of people who drank water sold by Nestle. 'Personally, I drank some Perrier ... But I didn't know what I was drinking, that's the problem,' Burgoa said.
France 24
19-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Perrier scandal bubbles up as French parliament slams cover-up
In recent years the Swiss food and drinks conglomerate has been under pressure over its Perrier and other brands as EU regulations strictly limit what treatments are allowed for any product marketed as natural mineral water. "In addition to Nestle Waters' lack of transparency, it is important to highlight the state's lack of transparency, both towards local and European authorities and towards the French people," said the report by a commission of inquiry of the French Senate. The report follows a six-month-long Senate inquiry involving more than 70 hearings. "This concealment is part of a deliberate strategy, addressed at the first interministerial meeting on natural mineral waters on October 14, 2021," said the report. "Nearly four years later, transparency has still not been achieved," said the report. Perrier -- one of the most famous mineral waters in the world, obtained from a spring in southern France and traditionally served on ice with a slice of lemon -- was acquired by Nestle in the early 1990s. 'Highest level of the state' In late 2020, new management at Nestle Waters claims to have discovered the use of prohibited treatments for mineral water at its Perrier, Hepar and Contrex sites. The company reached out to the government to submit a plan to tackle the problem in mid-2021, and the Elysee Palace afterwards. Eighteen months later, a plan to replace prohibited ultraviolet treatments and activated carbon filters with microfiltering was approved by the authorities. The method can be used to remove iron or manganese but the producer has to prove that the water has not been altered. European law stipulates that natural mineral waters cannot be disinfected or treated in any way that alters its characteristics. The report said that "despite the consumer fraud represented by water disinfection", the authorities have not taken legal action in response to the 2021 revelations. "It was at the highest level of the state that the decision to authorise micro-filtration below the 0.8-micron threshold was taken," the report said. 'Known since 2022' "We understand better why the French government did not inform the European Commission -- it was clearly too busy covering up a massive fraud," said Ingrid Kragl of the NGO Foodwatch, claiming the cover-up "allowed Nestle to sell fraudulent products and deceive consumers". The independent food monitor has filed a complaint against Nestle Waters, accusing it of deceiving consumers. An investigation has been launched by a Parisian judge. During her hearing before the committee on March 19, Nestle Waters chief executive Muriel Lienau stated that "all" of the group's waters were "pure at the source". But on Monday senator Antoinette Guhl announced that she was taking legal action over this comment for "possible perjury". In a statement, Lienau said she acknowledged the report, which "recognises the importance of sectoral issues requiring regulatory clarification and a stable framework applicable to all." Nestle Waters also insisted that it had "never contested" the legitimacy of the Senate's work. Nestle has already been under pressure in France after its French subsidiary was charged in a case involving contaminated Buitoni-branded pizzas that are suspected of having led to the death of two children in 2022. The move to allow microfiltration was in line with decisions taken by the authorities, including the office of then-prime minister Elisabeth Borne, even though she did not appear to have been informed, the report added. The commission also charged that President Emmanuel Macron's office "had known, at least since 2022, that Nestle had been cheating for years". Alexis Kohler, then secretary general at the Elysee who stepped down earlier this year after eight years in the post, had met with Nestle executives. Macron in February denied any acknowledgement of the case. In 2024, Nestle Waters admitted using banned filters and ultra-violet treatment on mineral waters. The company paid a two-million-euro ($2.2-million) fine to avoid legal action over the use of illegal water sources and filtering. It said at the time though that the replacement filters were approved by the government and that its water was "pure". cho-bur-as-sjw/as/phz © 2025 AFP
Int'l Business Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Perrier Scandal Bubbles Up As French Parliament Slams Cover-up
The French government "at the highest level" covered up a scandal over the treatment of mineral water by food giant Nestle, including the iconic Perrier brand, an investigation by France's upper house of parliament said Monday. In recent years the Swiss food and drinks conglomerate has been under pressure over its Perrier and other brands as EU regulations strictly limit what treatments are allowed for any product marketed as natural mineral water. "In addition to Nestle Waters' lack of transparency, it is important to highlight the state's lack of transparency, both towards local and European authorities and towards the French people," said the report by a commission of inquiry of the French Senate. The report follows a six-month-long Senate inquiry involving more than 70 hearings. "This concealment is part of a deliberate strategy, addressed at the first interministerial meeting on natural mineral waters on October 14, 2021," said the report. "Nearly four years later, transparency has still not been achieved," said the report. Perrier -- one of the most famous mineral waters in the world, obtained from a spring in southern France and traditionally served on ice with a slice of lemon -- was acquired by Nestle in the early 1990s. In late 2020, new management at Nestle Waters claims to have discovered the use of prohibited treatments for mineral water at its Perrier, Hepar and Contrex sites. The company reached out to the government to submit a plan to tackle the problem in mid-2021, and the Elysee Palace afterwards. Eighteen months later, a plan to replace prohibited ultraviolet treatments and activated carbon filters with microfiltering was approved by the authorities. The method can be used to remove iron or manganese but the producer has to prove that the water has not been altered. European law stipulates that natural mineral waters cannot be disinfected or treated in any way that alters its characteristics. The report said that "despite the consumer fraud represented by water disinfection", the authorities have not taken legal action in response to the 2021 revelations. "It was at the highest level of the state that the decision to authorise micro-filtration below the 0.8-micron threshold was taken," the report said. "We understand better why the French government did not inform the European Commission -- it was clearly too busy covering up a massive fraud," said Ingrid Kragl of the NGO Foodwatch, claiming the cover-up "allowed Nestle to sell fraudulent products and deceive consumers". The independent food monitor has filed a complaint against Nestle Waters, accusing it of deceiving consumers. An investigation has been launched by a Parisian judge. During her hearing before the committee on March 19, Nestle Waters chief executive Muriel Lienau stated that "all" of the group's waters were "pure at the source". But on Monday senator Antoinette Guhl announced that she was taking legal action over this comment for "possible perjury". In a statement, Lienau said she acknowledged the report, which "recognises the importance of sectoral issues requiring regulatory clarification and a stable framework applicable to all." Nestle Waters also insisted that it had "never contested" the legitimacy of the Senate's work. Nestle has already been under pressure in France after its French subsidiary was charged in a case involving contaminated Buitoni-branded pizzas that are suspected of having led to the death of two children in 2022. The move to allow microfiltration was in line with decisions taken by the authorities, including the office of then-prime minister Elisabeth Borne, even though she did not appear to have been informed, the report added. The commission also charged that President Emmanuel Macron's office "had known, at least since 2022, that Nestle had been cheating for years". Alexis Kohler, then secretary general at the Elysee who stepped down earlier this year after eight years in the post, had met with Nestle executives. Macron in February denied any acknowledgement of the case. In 2024, Nestle Waters admitted using banned filters and ultra-violet treatment on mineral waters. The company paid a two-million-euro ($2.2-million) fine to avoid legal action over the use of illegal water sources and filtering. It said at the time though that the replacement filters were approved by the government and that its water was "pure". Perrier is one of France's most iconic spring waters AFP The scandal has ramifications all the way to the Elysee AFP
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Perrier ordered to remove water filters
The government prefect for the southern Gard region, where Perrier is extracted and bottled, said the product was not a risk to consumers. PHOTO: REUTERS VERGEZE, France - French authorities ordered Nestle on May 7 to stop filtering its Perrier and held back on allowing the under-pressure brand from using the description 'natural mineral water'. The government prefect for the southern Gard region, where Perrier is extracted and bottled, said however the product was not a risk to consumers. But having to remove the filtering system within two months was a new blow for its owner Nestle Waters, which has said that at the peak of its popularity sold nearly one billion bottles a year in 140 countries around the world. The Swiss food and drinks conglomerate has been under pressure for some time over Perrier and other brands as EU regulations strictly limit what treatments are allowed for any product marketed as natural mineral water. Nestle Waters said in a statement that it would comply with the order to stop microfiltering and that was 'determined to seek solutions' that would allow the prefect to renew authorisation to use the 'natural mineral water' description. Authorities said a decision on whether Perrier can be considered 'natural mineral water' would be made by Aug 7. Following complaints by consumer groups, a French magistrate in 2025 launched a fraud inquiry into Nestle and rival bottler Sources Alma over suspicions of illegal processing of mineral waters that command a premium price. In 2024, Nestle Waters admitted using banned filters and ultra-violet treatment on mineral waters, which must be processed naturally by law. It paid a €2 million (S$2.93 million) fine to avoid legal action over the use of illegal water sources and filtering. It said at the time though that the replacement filters were approved by the government and that its water is 'pure'. However, regional health authority experts judged the micro filtering system in place did not comply with regulations, prompting May 7's order. The possibility that the government may have turned a blind eye to illegal filtering practices has been under investigation by a French senate committee following media reports that the prime minister's office and president's office had in 2023 recommended letting Nestle carry on with the micro filtering despite official warnings. France's former director-general of health, Mr Jerome Salomon, had called for the suspension of Nestle's operations permit at its sites that produce Vittel and other brands in the Vosges region of eastern France and Perrier at Vergeze in the southern Gard region. President Emmanuel Macron has denied giving in to lobbying by the Swiss food giant. 'One illegal treatment has been replaced by another. The government, which had approved Nestle Waters's transformation plan, is heavily at fault,' said socialist Senator Alexandre Ouizille, who is leading the Senate investigation which is due to be published on May 19. Foodwatch, one of the consumer groups that had spoken out publicly about the practices of bottlers, said on May 7 'this decision goes in the right direction' and expressed hope that the investigation underway will 'shed complete light on the actions committed by the multinational and its executives'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
