Nestlé has confirmed that inspections have taken place at two sites belonging to its waters business in France.
A report from local news outlet Radio France yesterday (19 May) said 40 agents from a fraud squad had raided the company’s sites in Vosges, where it produces brands like Vittel, and in Vergèze, where it makes Perrier.
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A spokesperson from Nestlé Waters France said today (20 May): “Unannounced inspections were carried out at two of Nestlé Waters’ sites in France on 19 May.
“We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities involved.”
Radio France‘s investigative unit says it understands the officers were investigating the “analysis laboratory” in Vittel, Vosges, next to its factory, which is where the business carries out water quality analysis and research and development.
When approached by Just Drinks, the General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) declined to comment.
The investigation is believed to be connected to a complaint filed by consumer rights group Foodwatch.
Nestlé’s French headquarters also were raided last year by local authorities in connection with an ongoing investigation linked to a complaint from Foodwatch.
In September 2024, the group said it had filed two new complaints, one against Nestlé and another against a French water company, Sources Alma.
The group had originally filed complaints with a Paris court against the two companies seven months prior.
A judicial investigation was then reportedly opened in February last year into both Nestlé and Sources Alma.
Foodwatch fraud expert Ingrid Kragl told Just Drinks in September 2024 that its new complaints against Nestlé included “offences of deception” and “risk to health”.
In a statement today, Kragl said: “The new searches carried out yesterday confirm that the investigation is continuing and that the offences listed in our complaint have been taken very seriously. The evidence gathered during these searches will provide further material for the investigation.
“We are confident that there will be a trial and that the French criminal courts will impose exemplary penalties on those responsible, whoever they may be.”
She added: “Nestlé Waters cannot deceive consumers worldwide for decades by illegally filtering its bottled water and get off scot-free. No multinational is above the law.”
Just Drinks has asked the Parquet de Paris to confirm whether the investigation is linked to Foodwatch’s investigation.
Nestlé and its waters business have been under intense scrutiny in France since the group admitted to violating local laws in how it treated bottled mineral water against contamination.
A year ago, the group was ordered to remove system filters from its Vergèze and Vosges sites in France, which produce bottled water brands such as Perrier and Contrex.
According to reports from Bloomberg last July, the business subsequently adapted micro filters for its Perrier brand.
