Nestle to pay $2.2 million in French mineral water case © AFPFile
A subsidiary of Nestle SA has reached a settlement agreement to pay approximately $2.2 million to settle criminal allegations in France related to its production of natural mineral water.
The deal, which was approved on Tuesday by a judge in Epinal, brings to an end to two investigations it faced in the region.
With this settlement, two separate investigations into Nestle’s water operations that focused on illegal drilling practices and misleading customers about the company’s water products have come to an end. Nestle did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement with local authorities, but it will pay a fine and comply with other restoration measures.
According to a statement from Epinal’s prosecutor, Nestle Waters will also contribute roughly $1.22 million to a restoration plan and give about $550,000 to several associations that have complained to the authorities.
Despite the financial penalties, Nestle maintains that its practices have been in full compliance with regulatory standards since 2023 and maintains that there has been no harm to public health as a result of its operations, which it claims have not altered the mineral composition of the water.
The settlement has faced criticism from consumer advocacy group Foodwatch, one of the parties involved in the case. Ingrid Kragl, fraud expert at Foodwatch, called the decision “scandalous,” arguing that it sends a message of impunity.
“Nestlé Waters can deceive consumers for years around the world and get away with it by simply pulling out the checkbook,” Kragl stated.
Nevertheless, the agreement marks the official conclusion of the legal proceedings.