Recently, critics say that the brand’s status has been cracked. A year ago, reports on French media Le Monde and radio station Franco revealed that Evian had been illegally purifying water for several years, and suspicions were raised that the French government concealed it even after knowing it.
Le Monde reported in January last year that bottled water companies have used illegal water purification technology, labeling it “spring water” and “natural mineral.” Critics point out that at least a third of bottled water companies are involved.
The French government has been aware of this since 2021, and it turns out that it has quietly eased restrictions.
In France, bottled water sold using water purification technology is only allowed to be marked as ‘drinkable purified water’. Labeling of ‘spring water’, ‘natural mineral water’, or ‘natural mineral water’ is prohibited. These natural bottled water must be extracted from preserved underground resources and disinfection is prohibited.
On the other hand, instead of allowing certain purification processes such as chlorine treatment or filtration, “general bottled water” is inexpensive and less reliable to consumers. However, criticism has grown in that Evian, like other ordinary bottled water, has secretly used ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and activated carbon filters to remove microorganisms and fine pollutants.
According to a French Senate report released in May, the General Bureau of Unfair Competition and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance was already aware of the illegal water purification behavior of bottled water companies in September 2021. Nevertheless, it turned out that the government did not disclose this in response to the companies’ requests, and sought to ease related regulations in consideration of the impact on the supply chain.
In addition, it was revealed that companies, including Nestle, tried to cover up illegal practices by paying only 2 million euros in fines.
Senator Alexandre Ouizille, who was in charge of the investigation, called the case an “inexplicable, unacceptable, and incomprehensible” business-government collusion. Civic groups also raised the issue, saying, “The government put corporate interests above the health and trust of the people.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
