Nestlé ordered to remove microfilters at Perrier and Contrex bottling plants amid regulatory scrutiny
French authorities demand Nestlé halt use of unauthorized filtration methods at key bottled water sites as regulatory probe continues.
FRANCE – French authorities have ordered Nestlé to discontinue the use of microfiltration systems at two of its bottled water production facilities in France.
The decision, announced by the prefectures of Gard and Vosges, affects the company’s Vergèze and Vosges sites, which manufacture leading brands including Perrier, Vittel, Contrex, and Hépar.
The prefecture of Gard has instructed the Swiss food and beverage giant to cease the use of 0.2-micron diameter filters at the Perrier plant in Vergèze. Nestlé has been given two months to comply.
Similarly, the prefecture in Vosges issued a directive for the removal of the same filters at the site responsible for Contrex, Vittel, and Hépar production.
In a brief statement, Nestlé’s water division acknowledged the directives and expressed its intent to comply, stating it was “determined to seek solutions to the requests of the Prefects of the Gard and Vosges.”
The company confirmed it had already identified a “technical solution” for the Vosges facility, covering the Contrex and Hépar brands. This solution, however, still requires regulatory approval.
The Vittel brand, Nestlé noted, is not affected by the microfiltration system in question.
Nestlé also emphasized that it is working to identify a similar solution for the Vergèze facility, allowing continued use of a natural mineral water source for the Perrier brand.
Both prefectures reportedly confirmed that all products currently on the market meet health safety standards.
The Vergèze site has faced regulatory attention since January 2024, when Nestlé admitted to non-compliance with French mineral water treatment regulations.
The company had previously disclosed the use of filtration methods and disinfectants—such as ultraviolet systems and activated carbon filters—not permitted under French law for products labeled as “natural mineral water.”
In April, Nestlé Waters CEO Laurent Freixe told French senators the company was initiating an internal audit of its water operations in France.
He said the review would take several months and stressed the importance of drawing necessary conclusions from the findings.
French media outlet Le Monde reported that hydrogeologists had recently issued an unfavorable opinion on the continued use of natural wells at the Vergèze plant.
The final findings of the French Senate’s inquiry into Nestlé’s water practices are expected to be released on May 19, 2025.
In September 2024, Nestlé agreed to a €2 million settlement with French authorities in connection to breaches involving illegal drilling and non-compliant purification practices.
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