2024-07-21 12:56:08
Nestlé has found itself at the centre of a scandal: the manufacturer filters contaminated water using illegal methods and sells it as “natural mineral water”.
Bild reports this.
In recent months, media investigations have revealed that mineral springs in France have been contaminated with feces, Escherichia coli bacteria and pesticides. Companies including Nestlé have been illegally filtering the water and continuing to sell it as “natural mineral water.”
According to independent research platform Mediapart, fraud has amounted to 3 billion euros over the past 15 years. Consumer organization foodwatch is calling on the French authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
In February 2024, consumer rights activists filed a lawsuit against Nestlé and French mineral water maker Sources Alma, which was founded in 1954 and has 45 production sites in Europe.
Ingrid Kragl of foodwatch France claims that Nestlé sold billions of bottles of water for years that did not meet the standards of “natural mineral water”. Consumers were unaware of the real quality of the product.
She added that if the new reports were confirmed, it would indicate systematic fraud by the company. Kragl called for swift action and a judicial investigation.
The European Commission plans to publish a report next week on the French authorities’ response to the case.
According to the EU directive, “natural mineral water” must be of pristine purity and come from protected underground sources. Only a few purification methods are allowed, which were not used by Nestlé and Sources Alma.
A Nestlé spokesman said the company disagreed with Mediapart’s “figures and calculation methods.”
Earlier, Cursor reported that a major Israeli importer would be required to pay a fine of 11.6 million shekels.
2024-07-21 12:56:08