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The information, broadcast by Le Monde and Radio France, indicates “the cessation of mineral water production at the Vergèze plant”, in the south of France.
The review, completed in August by ARS after its probe of the site in May, said the company should consider halting production due to health risks from the worsening state of water catchments, which could pose virological risks.
The ARS would have advised the organization to “strategically consider any other conceivable food use of existing mineral water catchments” if “additional guarantees of suitability and protection” are established.
In response to this story, manufacturer Vittel stated that the assessment is “an initial administrative report, which has since been completed with technical clarifications provided through Nestlé Waters on all issues raised. “
The document “constitutes definitive advice on the operating situations of our mineral water plant in Vergèze,” he says.
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Nestlé added that the effects “do not call into question the food quality of our bottled waters”, adding: “All water produced through Nestlé Waters, added under the Perrier brand, is for consumption.
“In addition, as a component of this report, the project outlined the measures implemented through Nestlé Waters in its water quality control system, which includes a reinforced quality procedure to continue to ensure the food protection of our products at all times.
Nestlé’s water business in France has had an eventful year. In April, the Swiss food and beverage giant suspended a well at its Vergèze site, which is used to bottle Perrier water, due to contamination.
This led the company to have to discard “several batches” of Perrier water. A spokesperson told Just Drinks at the time that all products delivered to consumers and available on shelves were for drinking.
Information at the time from Le Monde indicated that fecal bacteria had been discovered in the well.
Le Monde, citing the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), said the local government had given Nestlé the order to “immediately suspend” operations at the water site, which had been infected since 10 March 2024.
Reports then emerged in June claiming Nestlé had suspended production at two water wells for disinfection.
While Le Monde and Radio France reported that the shutdown meant the company could no longer produce the volumes needed to produce one-liter bottles, the company said production of one-liter products simply had not stopped.
Just Drinks has asked Nestlé whether production is still suspended at the two wells in Vergèze.
Since October 2023, the national food protection watchdog, the Agency for Food, Environmental and Safety at Work (ANSES), has expressed concerns about water from manufacturer Hépar in France. Nestlé mineral water.
In a press release sent to Solo Bebidas in April, Anses indicated that its evaluation “certifies an inadequate point of confidence” in the quality of the water.
Following its evaluation, the company advised that the General Directorate of Health (DGS) put into effect a “reinforced monitoring plan” to learn about “exploited water resources” and monitor possible “microbiological indicators. . . especially those related to viruses “.
In January, Nestlé admitted to violating French regulations on how bottled water is treated to prevent contamination.
Le Monde then stated that Nestlé would have used disinfectants “due to sporadic bacterial or chemical contamination. ”
In France, however, it is illegal to use purification techniques for products classified as “spring water” or “mineral water”, because they are believed to come from preserved underground resources and deserve to be consumed when they come out of the drain. Well, Le Monde reported. Training
In a response at the time, Nestlé said it had used “microfiltration at [its] Waters sites to a finer point than that identified in the past by French authorities. ”
“We also use activated carbon filters and ultraviolet systems which, legal in other jurisdictions, do not comply with French regulations applicable to herbal mineral water,” Nestlé added.
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