Lausanne (AWP/ATS) – The Vaud public prosecutor condemns Nestlé Waters Swiss to pay a compensatory claim of 500,000 Swiss francs. In question: the use of coal filters in its installations of Henniez (VD), not in accordance with the legislation for the production of mineral water under this appellation.
Using coal filters in Henniez between 2008 and 2022, and in parallel by maintaining the name “natural mineral water” on bottles, Nestlé Waters Switzerland “induced consumers”, said Vaudois prosecutor Eric Kaltenrieder on Wednesday in a press release.
The company has thus obtained “economic advantages by not respecting its legal obligations in terms of labeling.” It was the Office of Consumption of the State of Vaud (OFCO) which, in April 2024, denounced the subsidiary of Nestlé to the public prosecutor.
The Vaud parquet indicates that the amount of 500,000 Swiss francs takes into account “the particular circumstances of the case.” And in particular that the water produced has not presented any danger for consumers, whether before or after filtration. It also takes into account “the whole and perfect collaboration” of the management of Nestlé Waters Switzerland during the procedure.
Mise hors service
Hidden so far, the active carbon filtration installation in the Henniez factory was discovered during a check in 2020 by OFCO. Nestlé Waters Switzerland then had until the end of 2022 to withdraw this installation, whose non-compliance had been confirmed.
The output of the said installation was formally verified during an inspection of March 30, 2023.
But before that and for several years, from 2008 to 2022 according to the public prosecutor, Nestlé Waters Switzerland deceived consumers with its name “natural mineral water”, while the manufacturing process passed through charcoal filter.
Nestlé Waters Switzerland regrets
Contacted by Keystone-ATS, a spokesperson for Nestlé Waters Switzerland noted that the company took note of the judgment. “We accept judgment and we express our regret with regard to this situation of the past,” she added.
“Henniez mineral water can – and has always been able to be drunk with confidence, and its unique mineral composition, as indicated on the label, has always been preserved,” she said.
Controversy in France
In addition to the Vaudois case of Henniez, Nestlé Waters has been at the heart of the controversy since the beginning of 2024 in France, when press articles revealed the use in previous years of prohibited treatments (ultraviolet, active coal) on various stammering sites such as Vittel, Perrier, Hépar and Contrex.
The group defended itself by saying “to ensure health safety” of water. However, natural mineral water cannot be the subject of any disinfection or treatment likely to modify its characteristics. Judicial inquiries are still in progress.
In addition, last May, a report by a senatorial commission of inquiry considered that these illicit treatments had been the subject of “state concealment”.
ats/vj
