According to Brussels, controls on bottled water in France have serious shortcomings

Published 2024년 7월 24일

Tridge summary

An audit by the European Commission has uncovered major deficiencies in France's control system for bottled water, revealing it is ineffective in preventing fraudulent products. Despite having procedures and testing capabilities, the system fails to ensure legal compliance and is not equipped to detect or mitigate fraud. Inspections are infrequent and poorly targeted, with insufficient collaboration among authorities. Notable cases involve Nestlé Waters and the Alma group, both of which are facing legal actions for using banned treatments. The consumer association Foodwatch has criticized the lack of transparency and regulatory oversight.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The system put in place by France to control bottled water is marred by “serious shortcomings” and does not guarantee the absence of fraudulent products on the shelves, the European Commission estimated in an audit published on Wednesday. Brussels initiated this procedure after press reports in January suggesting possible infringements in the natural mineral water sector, and organized a mission lasting around ten days in March. According to its conclusions, there is indeed a control system for natural mineral waters and spring waters in France with adequate procedures and laboratory testing capabilities. But “as a whole, the official control system does not effectively verify that the natural mineral waters placed on the market meet the legal requirements in force,” estimates the audit. 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, making possible the presence on the market of ...

Source: Lefigaro