The French government covered fraud on the millionaire in Nestlé with mineral water treated illegally, according to the Senate.
by Gavin Blackburn
Fool AP
Published •The last update
propagandaThe government of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, covered decisions regarding Illegal mineral water treatment By the food industry giant NestleIncluding the Perrier brand, the Senate Research Committee announced.
His report focused on Use for years By Nestlé of Ericure to avoid bacterial or chemical pollution of water called “natural mineral water” or “springs water” for brands that also include contenx, Vittel and Hépar.
These treatments are banned by French and European regulations. he The report concludes What The French government concealed “illegal practices”. “In addition to the lack of transparency in Nestlé Watermes, we must also highlight the lack of transparency of the French government,” he said. The French media condemned banned treatments last year.
Nestle pushed a fine to avoid legal procedures
The report referred to a “deliberate strategy” to conceal the first meeting of the government France On this topic in October 2021, months later, the authorities accepted the Nestlé plan to replace the prohibited treatments by minute filters.
Nestle did not respond immediately to request the comments and the French government did not comment. Last year, the Swiss company was publicly known in mineral water He agreed to pay a fine to 2 million euros To avoid legal procedures.
Interviewing the investigation committee More than 120 peopleIncluding CEO and senior executives in Nestle. The committee concluded that “the presidency of the Republic has known, at least since 2022, which Nestle was cheating for years.” When asked about the scandal in February, Macron said that “he was not aware of these things. There is no complicity with anyone.”
Fraud is estimated at more than 3000 million euros
Alexander Ozil, UNHCRHe said Total fraud amount More than 3000 million euros were estimated by the French Agency responsible for controlling fraud. He said that natural mineral water is sold at a price of between 100 and 400 times from tap water, and condemns “deception for consumers.” Ouizille described the Nestlé factory in southern France, who visited the committee that was “sliding cabinets through which illegal treatments were conducted.”
According to the report, Nestlé argued that there is a risk in loss of jobs if the government does not allow any kind of Microfini treatment or filtrationBecause their factories should be closed because of Pollution of springs By bacteria such as E. Coli, which can cause serious diseases and even death. Laurent Burja, Chairman of the Committee, announced this No health damage appeared One of the people who drank the water sold by Nestle.
