Revealing the French bottled water scandal, the amazing truth of "natural mineral water**, consumers keep their eyes open!
As we all know, bottled water has always been an indispensable part of our lives, especially those brands that claim to be "natural mineral water", which are healthy, pure and rich in minerals. You may be motivated to buy for yourself and your family because you believe these ads. But let me tell you a shocking truth, a jaw-dropping scandal of "natural mineral water" in France.
This is not my alarmism, but the latest revelation of the alarming facts of France. Investigative journalist Mary Dupin spent two years digging into the process of uncovering fraud at several bottled water brands, including Nestle. It turns out that the "natural mineral water" we trust is actually made from polluted water according to the tap water process. These water sources are polluted by various pollutants such as agriculture, industry, and life, and the water quality is far from meeting the standards of "natural mineral water". In order to cover up this fact, these bottled water manufacturers use the tap water process, through activated carbon and ultraviolet treatment, to remove odors, pigments, bacteria, etc. from the water, and then add some minerals, which is labeled as "natural mineral water" and sold to consumers.
Isn't this a deception to consumers? Many brands such as Nestle and Vitu are involved, accounting for about 30% of the total bottled water on the French market. These are brands that we are familiar with, and even trusted. Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company, with mineral water brands such as San Pellegrino, San Michel and San Arrio. Vitu is the largest mineral water brand in France, and its products include Vitu, Vitu Blue, Vitu Green, etc. These brands boast that their water is derived from natural mineral springs and has unique ingredients and benefits, such as digestion, calcium and magnesium, antioxidants, and more. Isn't this a betrayal of consumer trust? They are willing to spend more money in pursuit of better quality and health, but drink water that is not really pure.
More than just harm to consumers, these bottled water frauds have serious environmental and social impacts. First of all, the production process of these bottled water consumes a lot of energy and water, resulting in carbon emissions and water waste. Secondly, the packaging material of these bottled water is mostly plastic, and these plastic bottles are difficult to ** and dispose of after use, causing plastic pollution. Thirdly, the sale of these bottled water has also affected the development of tap water, reducing the trust and use of tap water, leading to insufficient investment and maintenance of tap water, which in turn affects the quality and safety of tap water. Finally, the fraudulent behavior of these bottled water also undermines fair competition in the market, damages the reputation and interests of other mineral water brands that operate in good faith, and affects the choices and judgments of consumers.
How was the fraud in these bottles revealed? Investigative journalist Marie Dupin said that when she began her investigation of the French bottled water market in 2021, she found some suspicious clues, such as some mineral water manufacturers' water sources are listed as "sensitive areas" because the water quality is seriously polluted, but these manufacturers have not taken any measures to improve the water quality, but continue to produce and sell "natural mineral water". She then contacted a number of water quality experts and employees of a former mineral water manufacturer, and obtained some internal information and evidence that confirmed her suspicions. She also personally went to the water sources of some mineral water manufacturers and found some shocking scenes, such as a large amount of garbage, fertilizers, pesticides, industrial wastewater, etc. near the water source, and the water quality test report of the water source showed that the water contained a large number of harmful substances, such as nitrates, pesticide residues, heavy metals, etc. She also found that in order to cover up the fact that the water source was polluted, these mineral water manufacturers used the tap water process, through activated carbon and ultraviolet treatment, to remove odors, pigments, bacteria, etc. in the water, and then added some minerals, and then labeled "natural mineral water" and sold to consumers. She compiled these findings into a documentary that caused a stir when it was broadcast on France Télévisions on January 31, 2024.
After the broadcast of this documentary, it aroused widespread attention and discussion in French society, and many consumers expressed shock and anger, demanding that ** and relevant departments carry out severe investigation and punishment of these bottled water manufacturers to protect the rights and health of consumers. At the same time, many consumers have expressed reflection and vigilance, recognized the disadvantages and risks of bottled water, and expressed that they should reduce or give up drinking bottled water and drink tap water or filtered water instead. In addition, some environmental protection organizations and experts have taken this opportunity to call on the society to pay more attention to the protection and management of water resources, improve the efficiency of water resources utilization and conservation awareness, reduce the waste and pollution of water resources, and establish a sustainable water cycle system.
The French "natural mineral water" fraud scandal has opened our eyes to a surprising and terrible truth, and also made us aware of and choose bottled water. So, how do we respond to this scandal? How can we ensure that the water we drink is safe and healthy?
First of all, we must improve our awareness of water quality, understand the relevant knowledge of water, ingredients, standards, testing, etc., do not blindly believe in the propaganda and labeling of bottled water, and learn to judge and choose the quality and brand of water by ourselves. We can obtain more water quality information and knowledge through the Internet, books and other channels, and we can also observe and taste the color, smell, and taste of water through our own senses to judge the quality and taste of water.
Second, we need to minimize or avoid drinking bottled water and drink tap or filtered water instead. Bottled water is not only fraudulent and risky, but also causes waste and pollution of the environment and resources, and is an unsustainable way to consume it. In contrast, tap or filtered water is more economical, environmentally friendly, safe and healthy. The tap water is rigorously tested and treated to meet the national drinking water standards, and it also has a certain chlorine content that kills bacteria and viruses in the water. Filtered water is used through household filters or water purifiers to remove impurities, heavy metals, residual chlorine, etc. in the water, and improve the purity and taste of the water. We can choose the right filter or water purifier according to our needs and preferences, install it in our own home, and enjoy clean and delicious water at any time.
Finally, we should pay attention to and support the protection and management of water resources, and participate in and promote the sustainable use and recycling of water resources. Water resources are the foundation of human survival and development, and also the source of life on earth, we must cherish and cherish every drop of water, do not waste and pollute water resources, economize and rationally use water resources, protect and restore the natural ecology of water resources, establish and improve laws and systems on water resources, strengthen and expand science and technology and education on water resources, promote and participate in international and regional cooperation and exchanges on water resources, and jointly build a water security and water civilization society.
The French "natural mineral water" fraud scandal has opened our eyes to a surprising and terrifying truth, and has also given us new thinking and inspiration for our understanding and choice of bottled water. We need to learn from this and improve our awareness of water quality and water resources, change our water consumption habits and water lifestyles, and choose safer and healthier water to bring more benefits and happiness to our bodies and the environment. Let's walk for the water and live for the water together!