Source: esemag
Nestlé sold treated water as ‘natural’: Senate report suggests €3B marketing fraud
A French Senate inquiry has found that Nestlé illegally treated its “natural mineral water” brands like Perrier, Vittel, Hépar, and Contrex, with methods such as UV and carbon filtration, which are banned under French and EU regulations to protect the purity of such waters.
Despite knowing this, the company planned to switch to microfiltration, a legally questionable alternative. The report accuses the French government of failing to act and estimates the marketing fraud at over €3 billion, though Nestlé paid only a €2 million fine.
The scandal raises concerns about consumer deception, regulatory failures, and possible wider implications for Nestlé operations globally.
Nestlé is looking to sell its premium bottled-water brands, including Perrier and S.Pellegrino, and has hired Rothschild to handle the deal. The division could sell for over €5 billion. This move comes as Nestlé faces scrutiny in France over using banned treatments on its “natural mineral water” products.
The company’s bottled water unit made about €660 million in early 2025 but has been under pressure due to falling demand and legal issues. Nestlé’s CEO wants to focus more on core products like KitKat and Nescafé, and offload lower-growth businesses. Private equity firms like Blackstone and Platinum Equity are possible buyers.
References:
https://www.axios.com/2025/05/11/nestle-perrier-water-france