The editorial team advises you
As a reminder and in the same way as other brands of the Nestlé group (Hépar, Vittel, Contrex), Perrier was suspected of prohibited treatments, thus not guaranteeing the health safety of its products. The quality of exploited water resources is still not sufficient to produce natural mineral water. According to regulations, it must be “microbiologically healthy” and “kept free from any risk of pollution. »
The future of the 1000 employees dependent on the Gard prefecture
Although some unauthorized processing has since been withdrawn, the report reveals the risk of fraud persists. It raises concerns about a potential virological risk for consumers and states for the first time the possibility of “stopping the production of natural mineral water on the Vergèze site. » The ARS also invites the Swiss food group to “strategically question another possible food use of the exploitation of current mineral water catchments”, on condition of providing “additional health safety guarantees, which prove to be essential. »
The future of Perrier and its 1,000 employees at its Vergèze factory now depends on the Gard prefecture. It must soon rule on the request for renewal of the authorization to operate the “Perrier source” to produce natural mineral water, filed in October 2023 by Nestlé. The decision should be made during the first half of 2025, following the advice of approved hydrogeologists in matters of public hygiene, complementary to the ARS report.
Following this information, the Nestlé Waters company did not wish to comment, “as it is not aware of the final report. » The firm assures, however, that “the Vergèze site operates in accordance with the framework set by the authorities. »
