Perrier, Vittel, Hépar, Contrex… why did Nestlé disinfect its mineral waters with prohibited treatments ?

Nestlé promet que les marques Perrier, Vittel, Hépar et Contrex sont désormais “pleinement conformes au cadre réglementaire applicable en France” (photo d'illustration). maxnewsworld474390 – MaxPPP

Nestlé admits to having used treatments to disinfect its Perrier, Vittel, Hépar and Contrex brand waters. However, regulations prohibit any disinfection of mineral water.

World leader in the mineral water market, Nestlé Waters informed French authorities in 2021 that it had used prohibited ultraviolet treatments and filters with activated carbon on some of its mineral waters to maintain "their food safety", he indicated this Monday, January 29, 2024 at the& ;#39;AFP, confirming information from the newspaper Les Echos.

Prohibited treatments

The treatments used by Nestlé are prohibited by regulations. Mineral waters must naturally be of high microbiological quality (unlike tap water which is disinfected before becoming drinkable). Nestlé Waters has used these treatments until at least 2021.

The exact discontinuation date is not known. The company promises that the Perrier, Vittel, Hépar and Contrex brands are now "fully compliant with the regulatory framework applicable in France", report our colleagues from France info.

"Legacy of the Past"

The company justifies the use of these techniques by the"changes in the environment around its sources, which can sometimes make it difficult to maintain the stability of the essential characteristics" of its waters, it's that is to say their food safety and their mineral composition, according to Le Monde.

The president of Nestlé France recognized that these practices were a "legacy of the past", cites The World.

Launch of "Maison Perrier"

Sophie Dubois, director of Nestlé Waters France, confided all her hopes for growth for the historic site of the Source Perrier in Vergèze, in the Gard to Midi Libre. From now on, two wells out of eight will produce water for human consumption which cannot be called mineral water.  "We are launching Maison Perrier, a new range of flavored waters, which will not have the characteristics of Perrier water but correspond to a new segment of consumption in very strong growth", assures Sophie Dubois.

Consequences

The cessation of the use of these treatment and filtration devices forced Nestlé Waters to suspend the activity of some of its wells in the Vosges. This shutdown which led to a reduction in the production volumes of Hépar and Contrex.