France’s bottled-water industry is under intense scrutiny after a joint 2024 probe by Le Monde and Radio France revealed that at least one-third of brands marketed as “natural mineral water,” including Nestlé-owned Perrier, had been using prohibited filtration methods such as carbon filters, micro-mesh and ultraviolet light. European Union rules bar any treatment that alters the composition of mineral water, yet the practice had reportedly continued for years. A French Senate inquiry completed in May 2025 backed the journalists’ findings and accused President Emmanuel Macron’s administration of a deliberate cover-up, saying officials eased regulations instead of alerting consumers or European authorities. The agency in charge of fraud control put the value of the deception at more than €3 billion. Nestlé Waters has acknowledged using banned techniques, destroyed about two million bottles last year over bacterial concerns and paid a €2 million penalty to settle regulatory charges. Under pressure, the government has asked the European Commission to clarify how much microfiltration, if any, can be used while still qualifying as “natural mineral water.” A court ruling expected later this year will decide whether Perrier may keep that coveted label for water drawn from its 160-year-old Vergèze source. Industry analysts warn the findings could reshape France’s € multi-billion bottled-water sector as consumers and regulators question long-held claims of purity.