French court dismisses mislabeling case against Nestlé’s Perrier water
A French court rejects claims against Nestlé over Perrier’s mineral water labeling, easing regulatory pressure on the brand.
FRANCE – A French civil court has dismissed a legal complaint against Nestlé SA that had threatened the future of its Perrier mineral water brand.
The court of first instance in Nanterre ruled that consumer rights group UFC-Que Choisir failed to prove any unlawful practices by the Swiss company. As part of the decision, the association was ordered to pay €5,000 (US$5,787) to Nestlé.
UFC-Que Choisir had filed the complaint in June, alleging that Nestlé mislabeled Perrier bottles as natural mineral water while using filtration methods prohibited under European regulations.
The group has lodged two additional legal actions involving Nestlé and other entities it claims are implicated in the use of banned treatments for natural mineral waters.
Nestlé welcomed the ruling, stating that the decision confirmed the long-standing safety of Perrier’s natural mineral water and allowed the brand to continue operating under its current designation. The company has been facing heightened scrutiny following its acknowledgment last year that it had utilized charcoal and UV filtration, both banned for products labeled as natural mineral water.
In response to earlier investigations, Nestlé Waters agreed to pay a €2 million fine and accepted other penalties to resolve criminal probes in France related to its mineral water processing and the use of unauthorized wells. The company did not admit guilt as part of the settlement.
Nestlé has also issued a notice explaining that Perrier continues to carry the “natural mineral water” designation, though it may not fully meet all regulatory criteria. The firm has requested updated administrative authorization to ensure compliance with the applicable standards.
In July, Nestlé removed its 0.2-micron microfiltration system at its Vergèze facility following a directive from local authorities and replaced it with a 0.45-micron system already in use for its Vittel brand.
The updated filtration method forms part of a broader regulatory dossier currently awaiting approval for continued mineral water production at the site.
The Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages division generated 2.4 billion Swiss francs (US$3 billion) in revenue during the first nine months of the year, representing less than 4% of the company’s global turnover.
Following the court’s ruling, UFC-Que Choisir expressed disappointment, arguing that the judgment did not reflect the seriousness of the issues raised.
The group stated it remained concerned about the regulatory implications of the practices it had challenged.
Nestlé said it would continue working with authorities to ensure full regulatory compliance across its water brands.
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