Why the French are outraged that Perrier is filtering its water

An iconic French brand dating back more than 160 years, Perrier’s reputation has been rocked by a scandal. Last year, a joint investigation by Le Monde and Radio France revealed that at least a third of the country’s mineral water brands — including Perrier, Contrex, Vittel and Hépar, owned by Nestlé Waters — had been illegally treated. Article content

According to the investigation, French President Emmanuel Macron’s government knew about the practices and responded by “quietly” easing the regulations. Article content Article content

Here’s what you need to know about the Perrier scandal, and why some are calling it France’s “Water-gate.”

What’s the controversy with Perrier sparkling water?

At the heart of the controversy is whether brands such as Perrier can continue to market