Perrier: Nestlé ordered to “withdraw” its microfiltration system

On Wednesday, May 7, the Gard prefecture ordered Nestlé Waters, a subsidiary of the Swiss food giant, to "remove within two months" its microfiltration system from its Perrier mineral water in Vergèze.

At the same time, the Gard prefecture specified that it was continuing "the examination of the request for renewal of the authorization" granted to Nestlé to exploit its Vergèze boreholes "intended for the production of Perrier natural mineral water" , emphasizing that "the prefect's decision must be made before August 7."

Natural mineral waters are governed by a 2009 European directive, which on the one hand defines them by their mineral content and their "original purity" , and on the other hand indicates that they cannot be subject to any disinfection or treatment likely to modify their "microbism" (microbial flora).

Treatments may be authorized – by prefectural decree in France – either to remove “unstable elements” such as iron, manganese, arsenic and sulfur, in particular through filtration, or to retain “undesirable constituents” .

At the beginning of 2024, the Nestlé group publicly acknowledged that it had used prohibited treatments (ultraviolet and activated carbon) in the past , then replaced them with a "0.2 micron cartridge" microfiltration system, which it said was necessary to "ensure the food safety" of its products. It is therefore this microfiltration system that Nestlé will have to remove from its Vergèze site, in the face of formal notice from the authorities.

Regarding the possibility for Nestlé to continue operating its five boreholes in Vergèze, from which it draws its Perrier natural mineral water, hydrogeologists contacted by the Gard prefecture have already issued a negative opinion, Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe revealed to a Senate committee on April 9.

Faced with the difficulty of producing water in Vergèze that meets the standards required for natural mineral waters , the Nestlé group had already reallocated two boreholes on this site in 2022 to produce its new brand “Maison Perrier” , a drink sold without the name “natural mineral water” .

The consumer association Foodwatch said in a statement on Wednesday that "this decision is a step in the right direction," hoping that the judicial investigation initiated in parallel with these requests for administrative authorizations will, for its part, allow it to "shed full light on the actions committed by the multinational and its managers." Contacted, Nestlé Waters did not immediately respond on Wednesday afternoon.

Nestlé Waters France has announced its willingness to comply with the request of the Gard prefect. "A technical solution will be sought for the Vergèze site" which, "if accepted, could allow the prefect to consider authorizing the continued exploitation of Source Perrier natural mineral water in Vergèze," the company, a subsidiary of the Swiss giant, added in a press release.