Brussels detects “serious shortcomings” in controls in France

In an audit commissioned after the Radio France revelations, European experts point the finger not only at ineffective controls, but also at the laissez-faire attitude of the French authorities towards manufacturers.

This is one of the consequences of the revelations by the Radio France investigation unit concerning Nestlé’s use of prohibited treatments to mask the contamination of its natural mineral waters. According to the conclusions of a mission by the European Commission, the system set up by France to control bottled water is tainted by “serious shortcomings” and does not guarantee the absence of fraudulent products on the shelves.

According to this audit, published on Wednesday 24 July, there is indeed a system in France for monitoring natural mineral waters and spring waters, with adequate procedures and laboratory testing capacities. But “Overall, the official control system does not effectively verify that natural mineral waters placed on the market meet the legal requirements in force“, estimates the audit, which deplores in particular insufficiently targeted and insufficiently frequent inspections. The system “is not designed to detect or mitigate fraud in the natural mineral water and spring water sector and is also not properly implemented, which makes it possible for non-compliant and potentially fraudulent products to appear on the market“, it is added.

Brussels also highlights a “inadequate collaboration within the competent authorities” And “the lack of immediate follow-up measures“to ensure that industrialists”remedy non-conformities“. In short, the audit highlights not only ineffective controls, but also the laissez-faire attitude of the French authorities towards manufacturers.

As a reminder, in 2021, the Nestlé company, which feared an investigation, confidentially admitted to the government the fraud put in place to hide the contamination of its water resources. The government should then have immediately notified the European Commission, which it did not do. Brussels assures that it will follow very closely the measures put in place by France to remedy its “gaps“.

A French subsidiary of the Swiss food giant Nestlé – which sources water for the Perrier, Vittel, Hépar and Contrex brands in France – admitted at the end of January to having used prohibited disinfection treatments (UV lamp, activated carbon) on mineral waters to maintain their “food safety”. A preliminary investigation for deception was opened by the Épinal public prosecutor’s office against Nestlé Waters. The Alma group, which produces around thirty brands of bottled water in France including Cristaline, Saint-Yorre and Vichy Célestins, is also the subject of legal proceedings for similar reasons.

The consumer protection NGO Foodwatch, which had called for this audit after the revelations by Radio France and filed a complaint in this case, stresses that the conclusions of the European Commission confirm “what she denounces in every scandal : opacity for consumers, lack of controls by the authorities and impunity for multinationals”. Foodwatch believes that the audit reveals that “It’s even worse than we suspected,” and announces the launch of a petition calling on major agri-food groups to “accountable”.