As bottled water remains a staple in many UAE households and restaurants, a recent alleged contamination scare involving Perrier water has raised concerns among consumers globally. Health authorities in the Occitanie region of France have reported the discovery of bacterial contamination in Perrier bottles produced at the Vergèze plant, prompting further investigations. 

This news could have ripple effects for UAE consumers, many of whom trust international brands for quality and safety. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments surrounding this iconic water brand.

The Contamination Details

Health authorities in France’s Occitanie region have reported new contamination concerns regarding Perrier water bottles produced at the Vergèze plant, following three documented cases of non-compliance with health standards.

According to Radio France Internationale, around 300,000 75cl bottles were found to be contaminated with “pathogenic intestinal bacteria” during an internal inspection on March 11. The affected bottles came from production batches dated March 10 and 11. Tests revealed the presence of coliform bacteria, a type of Escherichia coli, leading the company to suspend distribution of the affected batches until further testing.

Additionally, the company flagged a second batch of 395 pallets due to a cap supply defect, leading to a technical non-compliance issue reported on March 22 and formally recorded on April 4. On April 10, further bacterial contamination was discovered during a health inspection of the plant’s wells and bottling lines by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), resulting in the isolation of another batch comprising 1,018 pallets.

Bottles quarantined 

Despite these issues, the company stated that previous contamination cases in February and March had undergone further testing and were deemed compliant, allowing for the resumption of distribution after a joint decision by the ARS and the Gard Prefecture. Nestlé Waters, the parent company of Perrier, clarified that some bottles had been quarantined due to minor deviations involving non-pathogenic natural flora or technical interventions causing malfunctions.

These repeated contamination concerns now threaten Perrier’s “natural mineral water” designation, a protected status governed by strict French regulations. This follows ongoing controversy surrounding the brand’s use of disinfectants in water labeled as “natural mineral”. Although the disinfectants are not harmful, they are banned for this classification, drawing criticism from both consumers and regulatory bodies.

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed it is investigating the matter, following a formal complaint from the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). A parliamentary inquiry committee set up in November to scrutinise bottled water companies is expected to release its final report on May 19.

For consumers in the UAE, this serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and quality of bottled products, especially those with a global presence like Perrier. As the situation develops, it is crucial for consumers to stay informed about the safety of the brands they trust.

(Source: Wam)