Overview

• French President Emmanuel Macron has denied allegations of collusion with Nestlé over allowing the sale of bottled water treated with banned filtration methods.
• Reports from Le Monde and Radio France reveal that both the French presidency and prime minister's office authorized Nestlé to continue operations despite health authorities' recommendations to suspend them.
• Health officials, including Jérôme Salomon, warned in early 2023 that Nestlé's water did not meet microbiological safety standards and called for immediate action, which was not implemented.
• Nestlé admitted in 2024 to using unauthorized filtration techniques and agreed to pay a €2 million fine to avoid a trial, though consumer advocacy groups demand further accountability.
• Consumer rights group Foodwatch has filed additional legal complaints, accusing Nestlé and other companies of fraudulent practices and calling for greater transparency and sanctions.