French Court Rules in Favor of Perrier in Water Labeling Dispute
A French court has delivered a significant victory for the Perrier brand, allowing the company to continue marketing its sparkling beverage as "natural mineral water" despite challenges from consumer rights advocates. The Nanterre court near Paris rejected the case brought by UFC-Que Choisir on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Consumer Group's Challenge Fails
The consumer rights organization had argued that Perrier's microfiltration processes disqualified the water from bearing the prestigious natural mineral water designation. UFC-Que Choisir had sought suspension of sales, claiming the labeling misled consumers about the product's true nature.
However, the court firmly stated that "the existence of a health risk to consumers linked to Perrier waters labelled 'natural mineral waters' has not been established." This ruling represents a major setback for consumer advocates who had hoped to force changes in how the iconic brand markets its products.
Background of the Filtration Controversy
The legal challenge followed media reports in early 2024 revealing that Nestle Waters, Perrier's parent company, had used prohibited treatment methods to enhance water quality. These methods included:
- Ultraviolet treatment processes
- Activated carbon filtration systems
- Other microfiltration techniques
Such treatments directly contradict French and European regulations that mandate natural mineral water must maintain its original state without undergoing processes that alter its composition.
The controversy extends beyond Perrier, as Nestle Waters also owns other prominent water brands including Vittel and Contrex, though the court case specifically addressed Perrier's practices.
Nestle's Previous Legal Troubles
This isn't the first time Nestle Waters has faced legal consequences for its water treatment practices. The company previously paid a two-million-euro fine (approximately $2.2 million) to avoid legal action over the use of illegal water sources and filtering methods in 2024.
More recently, in June 2025, Nestle Waters received another substantial penalty in Switzerland, where authorities fined the company over $610,000 for using activated carbon filters on its Henniez bottled mineral water.
Despite these repeated violations and fines, Perrier continues to source its water from the famous spring in southern France that has made the brand internationally recognized for decades.
The court's decision maintains the status quo for one of France's most iconic beverage brands, though it leaves unanswered questions about how consumers can trust water labeling claims in an increasingly regulated market.
