The health quality of the Nestlé group’s mineral waters, contaminated by bacteria and pesticides, is today “not guaranteed”, warn ANSES experts. Explanations.
- According to an expert report carried out in October 2023 on behalf of ANSES, the health quality of natural mineral waters sold by the Nestlé group (Perrier, Vittel, Contrex, etc.), in theory protected from any pollution, would today not be ‘no guarantee’ today.
- In question, the occurrence of microbiological contamination of fecal origin and the presence of “eternal pollutants” or PFAS, these per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances (PFAS), pesticide metabolites, sometimes beyond the regulatory threshold of 0.1 microgram per liter, or even synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
- So many non-conformities which attest to an “insufficient level of confidence” to “guarantee the health quality” of the water marketed by the group, and which justify, according to ANSES, the establishment of a “monitoring plan reinforced” and in particular increased vigilance on the “virological health risk”.
Pesticides, coliform bacteria, eternal pollutants, prohibited purification treatments… According to an expertise carried out in October 2023 on behalf of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSES) and revealed by the media France Info And The worldthe quality of natural mineral waters sold by the Nestlé group (Perrier, Vittel, Contrex, etc.), in theory preserved from any pollution, would today not be “not guaranteed”.
Mineral waters polluted by bacteria, pesticides and eternal pollutants
The report, commissioned by the authorities after the report of a whistleblower in 2021, warns of “the apparently transient occurrence of microbiological contamination of fecal origin in certain resources used for the production of bottled natural mineral waters” in factories in Vosges and Gard. Experts note the presence of coliform bacteria,Escherichia colienterococci or even Pseudomonas aeruginosa on many sites.
The presence of traces of “eternal pollutants”, these per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances (PFAS), as well as other micropollutants such as pesticide metabolites, sometimes beyond the regulatory threshold of 0.1 micrograms, is also pointed out. per liter. Residues of synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are also frequently detected.
Water purification treatments prohibited by regulations
So many non-conformities which attest to a “insufficient level of confidence” For “guarantee sanitary quality” water marketed by the group, and which justify the establishment of a “reinforced surveillance plan” and in particular increased vigilance on the “virological health risk”. According to experts from the Nancy Hydrology Laboratory (LHN) mandated by Anses, contaminated drilling should no longer be exploited for the purpose of “the production of bottled water”. Questioned by the press, the Ministry of Health did not wish to comment, “justice being seized of the case”.
Last January, the daily The world and the investigation unit of Radio France had already denounced a massive deception : at least 30% of bottled water brands sold as “spring” or “natural mineral” actually used water purification treatments prohibited by regulations (ultraviolet and activated carbon filters), including all brands operated by Nestlé. The group had recognized the use of this type of prohibited treatment, arguing that it was for a good cause, namely “guarantee food safety” waters.
