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French Court Lets Nestlé Keep Selling Perrier as 'Natural Mineral Water'

Prefectural approvals remain unresolved as regulators review microfiltration standards.

Overview

  • The Nanterre judicial court rejected UFC-Que Choisir’s emergency bid to suspend Perrier sales under the protected label, keeping the product on shelves.
  • The judges said an imminent health risk was not established with the clarity required for summary proceedings, according to the ruling.
  • Prefects have not yet decided on Nestlé’s new authorizations to operate wells and market under the designation, leaving key administrative questions open.
  • Health authorities previously deemed 0.2‑micron microfiltration to alter the water’s microbiome, leading to a switch under prefectural order to 0.45 micron.
  • Nestlé asserts its waters are safe and has run disclosure campaigns, while competitors urge stricter rules; classic Perrier sales held steady as “fines bulles” output fell after some wells were suspended.