Perrier mineral water bottling plant in Vergèze (Gard), home to the Bouillens spring, February 1, 2019. LODI FRANCK/SIPA
The suspense ended as the French government gave Nestlé the green light to continue producing Perrier under the "natural mineral water" label. Jérôme Bonet, the prefect of the Gard department where the factory of the famous sparkling water brand is based, published on Friday, December 19, a decree authorizing the Swiss multinational to exploit the Perrier springs in Vergèze, southern France, despite repeated episodes of bacteriological contamination that recently forced the world's leading bottled water company to block or destroy several million bottles.
As expected, the prefect of Gard followed the recommendation of the Regional Health Authority (ARS) of Occitanie, which oversees the quality control of bottled water. In a report disclosed by Le Monde, the ARS suggested approving the Swiss group's request but with the condition of "enhanced health monitoring."
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