Will Perrier stop producing mineral water at its historic Vergèze site? A confidential report from the ARS, the contents of which were revealed on Monday December 16 by Le Monde and Radio France, overwhelms the company and invites it to think about making another use of its captures.
The troubles keep coming for Perrier. Already singled out in January 2024 for the use of prohibited treatments on several of its brands, the Swiss multinational Nestlé Waters (owner in particular of Perrier, editor's note) is once again in the sights of the health authorities.
A new report from the Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS), consulted by Le Monde and the investigation unit of Radio France, this time points out the health quality of the water captured and used on the Vergèze site, in the Gard. The controls would report a “water instability” and especially the presence of microorganisms, “especially fecal germs” which can cause illness in humans, detail Radio France and Le Monde. The health authority, concerned about a virological risk, would therefore consider “a cessation of the production of natural mineral water on the Vergèze site”. She also invites Nestlé Waters to “question yourself strategically” on another use of its catchments, in other words to find an alternative to the production of natural mineral water.
A virological risk
The report also points to potential “virological risk” for consumers of mineral water, particularly due to the use of non-regulatory microfilters. A risk of which the government would have been warned, as stated by Radio France and Le Monde, which would have decided not to take it into account, and even to grant an exemption to Nestlé in 2023.
Contacted by the two media outlets, Nestlé Waters reacted on Monday, December 16, through a press release in which the group wrote in particular: “We cannot comment as we are not aware of the final report.” The Gard prefecture, which will have to decide, could make its decision to the “first half of 2025”say Le Monde and Radio France.
published on December 16 at 6:35 p.m., Marion Gauvain, 6Medias
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