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French Senate Report Exposes State Cover-Up in Nestlé Water Scandal

The Senate accuses the French government of deliberate concealment and lax oversight, revealing systemic failures in regulating mineral water production.

Un rapport sénatorial sur les pratiques des industriels de l’eau minérale en bouteille a été rendu public lundi 19 mai 2025. Photo d’illustration.
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Trois groupes se partagent l’essentiel (60%) du marché: Nestlé (Perrier, San Pellegrino, Vittel...), Danone (Evian, Volvic, La Salvetat, Badoit...), et Sources Alma (Saint-Yorre, Vichy Célestins, Thonon, Cristaline...).
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Overview

  • The Senate commission report, published on May 19, 2025, accuses the French State of deliberately concealing Nestlé Waters' use of illegal treatments in its mineral water production.
  • Nestlé admitted to using unauthorized treatments at its Perrier, Hépar, and Contrex sites, informing the government in mid-2021, but faced no judicial action despite consumer fraud allegations.
  • The report criticizes interministerial failures, including the approval of a controversial microfiltration method that may alter water characteristics, circumventing EU regulations.
  • A heavily redacted sanitary report revealed bacterial and pesticide contamination at Perrier’s Vergèze site, allegedly modified at Nestlé's request to obscure findings.
  • The Senate issued 28 recommendations, including stricter aquifer monitoring, improved industrial extraction controls, and better consumer labeling, as Perrier awaits a decision on its mineral water label renewal.