Vittel owners Nestlé face legal action over 'illegal' water boreholes in France
By Alexander Abdelilah and Robert Schmidt
The Swiss multinational Nestlé, which owns the Vittel and Contrex brands, is facing a mounting series of problems in the Vosges département or county in north-east France where it obtains its supplies for those mineral waters. The French state has recently withdrawn its support for a lengthy water pipeline in the area, while a local councillor with family links to the Swiss company faces trial over an alleged conflict of interests. Now Mediapart has learnt that consumer and environmental groups are taking legal action against Nestlé for extracting water from certain boreholes without authorisation, and have accused the authorities of favouring the giant corporation over the needs of local people. Alexander Abdelilah and Robert Schmidt report.
The list of problems faced by the Swiss multinational Nestlé in the Vosges département or county in north-east France – home to its mineral water brands Vittel and Contrex - is continuing to grow. The state has recently withdrawn its support for a Nestlé-backed water pipeline project in the area, while a local councillor with family links to the group faces a trial over an alleged conflict of interests. Now Mediapart can reveal a fresh problem for the giant corporation with the news that consumer and environmental groups are taking legal action against it for extracting water from some boreholes without authorisation.
