Belgium is launching an investigation into Nestlé’s mineral water filtering practices, amid a scandal in France.
Nestlé’s Belgian-based bottling plant in Etalle, trades under the Valvert brand. No evidence currently suggests that this facility also is involved in the scandal emerging in France, RTBF reports.
“We have asked the Economic Inspectorate to conduct an inquiry and take necessary steps if infringements were made,” Vice Prime Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne’s office confirmed to RTBF, with the Economic Inspectorate coordinating its probe with Afsca and Belgium's Public Health Service.
Consumer rights association Testachats is also set for investigations. If these illegal practices were carried out by Nestlé, “consumers were deceived and paid for mineral water that was no longer mineral,” explained the association.
In France, a preliminary investigation is under way following accusations that Nestlé used activated charcoal and UV to purify the water, which is forbidden for natural mineral water.
A report says a third of French brands also use treatments that don’t comply with regulations.
In Switzerland, Nestlé has confessed to using activated charcoal at its Henniez factory near Lausanne. According to the Swiss group, its “adaptive efforts” led it to instigate “protective measures non-compliant with Switzerland’s mineral water regulations.” The goal was always to guarantee food safety, the group said.
