Nestlé Waters is facing a significant legal challenge in France as consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has demanded the temporary suspension of Perrier bottled water sales. The case, heard Wednesday at the Nanterre judicial court, centers on allegations that Perrier's marketing as "natural mineral water" is misleading given evidence of contamination and unauthorized filtration treatments.

The controversy stems from revelations in early 2024 that Nestlé had used prohibited purification methods, including ultraviolet treatment and activated carbon filters, at its bottling facilities. According to French regulations, natural mineral water cannot undergo any disinfection or treatment that alters its characteristics. The consumer group argues that Perrier's water cannot be considered natural since it has been treated, despite being marketed as such.

Health authorities have documented contamination issues at Perrier's source wells in Vergèze over the past decade. The Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire (Anses) reported "regular contamination" of raw water and "insufficient confidence" in its sanitary quality as early as October 2023. Regional health authorities in Occitanie noted "unacceptable" contamination levels in August 2024, including bacteria of fecal origin detected after heavy rainfall events.

Nestlé Waters maintains that it operates under regulatory oversight and is determined to contest the legal action. The company previously stated that filtration measures were implemented to ensure water safety. However, the consumer association seeks immediate market withdrawal, product recalls, and cessation of what it considers deceptive marketing practices regarding Perrier's natural mineral water claims.