authorities have fined Nestlé Waters €533,000 after discovering the company used banned carbon filters in its Henniez mineral water production. The case adds to growing scrutiny of Nestlé’s bottled water brands, which have faced similar controversies in both Switzerland and FranceThe Vaud public prosecutor’s office described the penalty of Sfr500,000 ($620,000) as a “compensatory claim” for non-compliance with legal labelling obligations.The use of carbon filters was first discovered in a 2020 inspection by the Vaud State Consumer Office (OFCO). OFCO recommended that Nestlé apply for a request for exemption from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO).
The group’s exemption request however was denied, with Nestlé being required to remove the carbon filters by the end of 2022. A follow-up investigation in 2023 confirmed the filters had been removed.
