The French consumer rights group Foodwatch has filed two new complaints against Nestlé and Alma alleging unlawful practices in the purification of their bottled water. It's seeking to have the multinationals held accountable for decades of "fraudulent" actions.
The complaints, submitted on Wednesday in Paris, target Nestlé Waters for using illegal processing methods – including UV disinfection and activated carbon filters – on its bottled water brands Perrier, Vittel, Hépar and Contrex.
Alma, which produces Cristaline and other brands, is accused of similarly violating regulations with its water treatment processes.
The move by Foodwatch comes after Nestlé avoided further prosecution in September through a €2 million settlement, which included an agreement to "repair the ecological damage" caused in Vittel and Contrexéville – two towns in northeastern France known for their mineral springs, where Nestlé extracts water for its bottled brands.
“We have material evidence, including orders from Alma and invoices for the purchase of iron sulfate, photos of CO2 cylinders, and internal email exchanges,” said Foodwatch's lawyer, François Lafforgue.
He criticised the judicial settlement with Nestlé, describing it as a way for the company to “escape by simply paying”, and demanded “the urgent appointment of an investigating judge, and the end of impunity or exemplary sanctions”.
Foodwatch’s latest complaints also target Alma, which is accused of "injecting carbon dioxide into naturally sparkling Chateldon water” and the use of “iron sulfate to reduce arsenic” at its St-Yorre and Vichy Célestins sites.
The watchdog says these actions, coupled with a lack of transparency, pose serious health risks.
Nestlé Waters avoids trial with €2m fine for illegal water drilling in France
Forever chemicals
Beyond the illegal treatment practices, Nestlé and Alma are also facing accusations of allowing toxic “forever pollutants” – such as coliform bacteria, E. coli, and enterococci – to contaminate their water.
Tests revealed frequent contamination in brands inclusing Hépar, Vittel, Contrex and Perrier.
Meanwhile Lafforgue has questioned the French government’s role in the affair, arguing authorities were aware of the violations but chose to remain silent.
Foodwatch said the government allowed the company to continue using illegal micro-filters without oversight from health agencies such as Anses, the Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.
The watchdog, which had previously turned down financial offers from Nestlé, says it is determined to pursue the matter through the courts.
More than 16,000 people have signed a Foodwatch petition demanding accountability.
