Perrier water, known around the world with its famous green pear-shaped bottle, has reportedly faced quality concerns regarding water from a well and traces of pesticides found, Bloomberg reported.
One of the seven wells that serve as a source of Perrier water was checked and traces of fecal matter were found after heavy rains this year in the commune of Vergèze, in southeastern France , where the source originates.
This discovery then led to the suspension of production last April and the destruction of more than 2 million bottles of this sparkling mineral water, according to the American media.
This was not, however, the only problem plaguing Perrier. At the beginning of the same month, a report carried out in 2023 by a regulatory authority pointed out that traces of pesticides banned for more than 20 years and possibly carcinogenic were present in the water from the source.
The owner of Perrier, the Swiss brand Nestlé SA, agreed last September to pay 2 million euros, or 3 million Canadian dollars, to settle a case of fraud by filtering water using processes that are banned in France, again according to Bloomberg.
A consumer rights association, Foodwatch, however, decided to reopen this case by suing the company, judging that this settlement had allowed the company to escape easily.
A more complex operation
While the general manager of Nestlé Waters France, Sophie Dubois, acknowledged that “operating conditions are becoming more difficult”, particularly with heavy rains, the company affirmed that the safety and quality of Perrier have always been guaranteed.
According to Nestlé, low levels of authorized microfiltration, a strict bottling circuit cleaning program and 700 daily analyzes ensure the quality of Perrier water.
However, significant weather events can lead to “more fluctuations in our production levels,” the company acknowledged.
“This is our new normal,” the company said according to Bloomberg. “We have invested a lot, and we will continue to do so, to protect this unique heritage and ensure its future.”
