Perrier

Perrier is a French sparkling water brand associated with the Vergèze spring in the Gard department of southern France. The spring was historically known as Les Bouillens, or “the bubbles,” and had been used as a spa site since Roman times. Although the source is naturally carbonated, the water and carbon dioxide are collected separately. The water is purified and carbon dioxide is added during bottling to reproduce the carbonation level associated with the spring. Since at least 2019, the product description has referred to the addition of carbon dioxide rather than reinforcement with gas from the source, a change the company has linked to lower water consumption and reduced environmental impact. The commercial identity of Perrier developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Doctor Louis Perrier acquired the spring in 1898, operated a spa and bottled its water, and subsequently sold the property to St John Harmsworth, a British entrepreneur and newspaper heir. Harmsworth closed the spa, renamed the site Source Perrier and introduced the distinctive green bottle. He promoted the product in Britain by presenting it as an elegant French alternative to alcoholic beverages, including through the slogan-like positioning of Perrier as the “Champagne of mineral water.” British newspaper advertising helped establish the brand among aspirational consumers, and for a period Britain and the United States represented the overwhelming majority of sales. Perrier became one of the best-known premium bottled-water brands through its combination of French provenance, strong carbonation, an instantly recognizable green bottle and a highly visible advertising culture. The brand expanded beyond its original unflavoured sparkling water into lemon, lime, lemon-lime, pink grapefruit, green apple, mint, strawberry and watermelon variants, among others. It also introduced less-carbonated products such as Eau de Perrier and limited-edition packaging intended to connect the brand with contemporary art and popular culture. Packaging has included glass bottles, cans and, from 2001, polyethylene terephthalate bottles after extensive development work intended to preserve the product’s flavor and carbonation. Perrier has also used cultural sponsorship as part of its brand-building strategy. From 1981 to 2005 it sponsored the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an initiative that supported emerging comedy performers and later evolved into the Edinburgh Comedy Awards under other sponsors. It also created the Perrier Young Jazz Awards in 1998, which ran for several years and produced albums featuring award recipients. The brand faced a major product-safety crisis in 1990, when benzene was detected in several bottles in the United States. Perrier attributed the incident to a filtration error rather than contamination of the spring, but the episode resulted in a worldwide withdrawal of approximately 160 million bottles. In 1992, Perrier was acquired by Nestlé after a contested ownership process and became part of the Nestlé Waters business, now identified in France as Nestlé Waters France. More recent scrutiny has focused on source management, treatment methods and compliance with French mineral-water standards. In 2024, reporting by Radio France and Le Monde said that Perrier and many other French mineral-water brands had used purification techniques prohibited for water marketed as natural mineral water. In the same year, approximately 2.9 million bottles were destroyed before sale after reports of possible microbial contamination. French authorities later required the withdrawal of one-litre Perrier Vert bottles from the French market after inspections and decisions affecting wells at the Vergèze site. Perrier remains an internationally distributed sparkling-water brand, but its current reputation and operating environment are shaped both by its premium heritage and by continuing regulatory and environmental question…

The water source associated with Perrier is located at Vergèze in southern France. Known historically as Les Bouillens, the spring was used as a spa from at least the Roman period. Company tradition connects the site with Hannibal’s passage through the region, although that account is part of the brand’s historical storytelling rather than a documented foundation event. Perrier entered the British market in 1863. Louis Perrier, a local doctor, acquired the spring in 1898, operated a spa and bottled the water for commercial sale. The property was later purchased by St John Harmsworth, a wealthy British visitor who had come to France to study the language. Harmsworth closed the spa as public interest in spa treatment declined, renamed the spring Source Perrier and developed a bottling business centered on a green glass bottle. Harmsworth’s marketing presented Perrier as an imported French luxury product. Advertising in British newspapers linked the water with sophistication and described it as the “Champagne of mineral water.” The positioning helped make Perrier especially prominent in Britain and the United States, which together accounted for most sales for a period. The bottle’s green color, teardrop-like form and association with French style became central elements of the brand’s identity. The water’s production method has long involved separate collection of the mineral water and naturally occurring carbon dioxide. Before bottling, the water is purified and carbon dioxide is reintroduced to achieve a carbonation level comparable to that of the spring. This technical distinction became important in the 1990s, when Perrier removed the claim that its water was “naturally sparkling” from United States packaging after pressure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since at least 2019, product wording has referred to carbon dioxide being added, which Nestlé has associated with lower overall water consumption. Perrier suffered a severe reputational and operational crisis in 1990. A North Carolina laboratory found benzene in several bottles. The company said that the spring itself was unaffected and that an employee had made a filtration error, but the finding led to a global product withdrawal involving roughly 160 million bottles. Two years later, Nestlé acquired Perrier after a competition for the business that also involved the Agnelli family. Perrier became part of the Perrier Vittel Group and ultimately Nestlé Waters France. The brand continued to broaden its portfolio and packaging. Alongside its original sparkling water, Perrier developed lemon and lime products, later adding lemon-lime, pink grapefruit, green apple, mint, strawberry and watermelon variants in selected markets. Eau de Perrier offered lower carbonation, while Perrier Fluo used more experimental flavor combinations. Glass bottles remained an important part of the brand, but cans and PET packaging extended its availability across consumption occasions. PET was introduced in 2001 after a long development program focused on preserving taste and carbonation. Cultural marketing became another major part of Perrier’s history. The Perrier Comedy Award supported performers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1981 through 2005 and became one of the best-known awards associated with the festival. Perrier also established Young Jazz Awards beginning in 1998, although the program lasted only several years. In 2013, the brand marked its 150th anniversary with limited-edition bottles inspired by Andy Warhol, and in 2019 it used Perrier ARTXTRA packaging featuring work by Dabsmyla to support contemporary artists. In the 2020s, the brand encountered renewed questions about production practices and source protection. Reporting in 2024 alleged that Perrier and other French mineral-water producers had used purification processes not permitted for natural mineral water. Also in 2024, millions of bottles were destroyed following microbial-contamination concerns, and a one-litre Perrier Vert product was withdrawn from the French market after official inspections and changes affecting wells at Vergèze. These developments have placed greater emphasis on regulatory compliance, the distinction between natural mineral water and treated water, and the environmental management of Perrier’s source.

• 2024

  Contamination and source-compliance scrutiny

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Reports concerning microbial contamination, purification practices and the status of Vergèze wells brought renewed regulatory attention to Perrier.

• 2019

  Perrier ARTXTRA packaging

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Perrier launched limited-edition packaging featuring artwork by Dabsmyla and linked the initiative to support for contemporary artists.

• 2013

  150th-anniversary limited edition

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Perrier released limited-edition bottles inspired by Andy Warhol to mark its 150th anniversary.

• 2001

  PET packaging introduced

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  The brand introduced PET bottles after an extended research program on preserving flavor and carbonation.

• 1992

  Nestlé acquires Perrier

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Perrier was purchased by Nestlé and became part of its bottled-water operations.

• 1990

  Global recall after benzene discovery

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  The detection of benzene in several bottles led to the withdrawal of about 160 million bottles worldwide.

• 1898

  Louis Perrier acquires the spring

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Doctor Louis Perrier acquired the Vergèze spring, operated a spa and bottled the water for sale.

• 1863

  Perrier reaches the British market

  [1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Perrier was introduced in Britain, an important early export market for the French water.

Premium French sparkling water built around source provenance, strong carbonation, distinctive green packaging and an association with modern lifestyle, art and cultural events.

• Sparkling natural mineral water

  Perrier Original

  The core Perrier product is strongly carbonated water associated with the Vergèze source. It is sold in the brand’s signature green packaging and is available in several bottle and can formats, including glass in European markets and PET in selected markets.

• Flavored sparkling water

  Perrier flavored waters

  Perrier has extended its original water into flavored variants including Lemon, Lime, Citron Lemon-Lime, Pink Grapefruit, Green Apple, Mint, Strawberry and Watermelon. Availability varies by country and product period.

• Lower-carbonation sparkling water · 2002

  Eau de Perrier

  Eau de Perrier is a less-carbonated line introduced in France. It is distinguished from the original Perrier presentation by its lower level of carbonation and blue bottle design.

• Flavored sparkling water · 2002

  Perrier Fluo

  Perrier Fluo was a more experimental flavored range associated with combinations such as ginger-cherry, peppermint, orange-lychee, raspberry and ginger-lemon. The range’s current availability is not established by the supplied sources.

• Sparkling natural mineral water

  Perrier Vert

  Perrier Vert included a one-litre format sold in France. In 2024, that format was withdrawn after official action affecting wells used at the Vergèze facility.

• 2024

  Purification-method and mineral-water compliance allegations

  Reporting by Radio France and Le Monde alleged that Perrier and a substantial portion of French mineral-water brands had used purification techniques prohibited for products marketed as natural mineral water.

  Source

• 2024

  Microbial contamination concerns and destruction of bottles

  Approximately 2.9 million Perrier bottles were destroyed before reaching the market after reports of contamination involving germs of possible faecal origin.

  Source

• 1990

  Benzene contamination recall

  Benzene was found in several bottles in the United States. Perrier said the spring was not polluted and attributed the incident to a filtration error, but the company nevertheless recalled approximately 160 million bottles worldwide.

  Source

Read more

• 2019Perrier ARTXTRA

  International

  Perrier released limited-edition packaging featuring artwork by the artist duo Dabsmyla and presented the program as support for the contemporary art community.

  Outcome. The initiative extended Perrier’s long-running use of art and design collaborations.

  Source
• 2013Andy Warhol 150th-anniversary bottles

  International

  Perrier issued limited-edition bottles inspired by Andy Warhol as part of its 150th-anniversary activity.

  Outcome. The editions reinforced the brand’s connection with art and collectible packaging.

  Source
• 1998Perrier Young Jazz Awards

  United Kingdom

  Perrier created an awards program for young jazz musicians and released albums featuring winners.

  Outcome. The program ran for four years and the final awards ceremony took place in 2001.

  Source
• 1981Perrier Comedy Award

  United Kingdom

  Perrier began sponsoring a comedy award connected with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The program supported emerging comedy performers and developed into a prominent cultural property.

  Outcome. The sponsorship ended in 2005. From 2006, other sponsors took over and the award was eventually known as the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

  Source

• 2024

  Withdraw Perrier Vert one-litre bottles in FranceOther

  Background

  Government inspections at the Vergèze site were followed by changes affecting the wells used to capture the water.

  Action taken

  One-litre Perrier Vert bottles were pulled from the French market.

  Aftermath

  The action intensified scrutiny of source availability, production practices and compliance with natural-mineral-water requirements.

  Source

• 2019

  Change carbonation and environmental wordingStrategy

  Background

  Perrier changed its product description from reinforcement with gas from the source to wording referring to the addition of carbon dioxide.

  Action taken

  The updated wording was adopted on products from at least 2019 onward.

  Aftermath

  Nestlé said the process allowed a considerable reduction in total water consumption and ecological impact.

  Source

• 2004

  Restructuring planStrategy

  Background

  Nestlé announced a restructuring plan for Perrier.

  Action taken

  The company pursued operational restructuring, but the process was later halted.

  Aftermath

  In 2005, the restructuring was ordered to stop because staff consultation requirements had not been adequately met.

  Source

• 2001

  Introduce PET packagingOther

  Background

  The brand sought a plastic format that could preserve the flavor and carbonation associated with its glass bottles.

  Action taken

  Perrier introduced polyethylene terephthalate bottles after an 11-year research effort.

  Aftermath

  The change broadened packaging and distribution options beyond glass.

  Source

• 1992

  Nestlé acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Perrier was the subject of a contested ownership process involving Nestlé and the Agnelli family.

  Action taken

  Nestlé acquired the company and integrated Perrier into its water business.

  Aftermath

  Perrier became part of the Perrier Vittel Group and later Nestlé Waters France.

  Source

• 1990

  Remove the naturally sparkling claim in the United StatesOther

  Background

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration challenged the wording used to describe Perrier’s carbonation.

  Action taken

  Perrier removed the claim that the product was naturally sparkling from its bottles in the United States.

  Aftermath

  The decision highlighted the distinction between naturally occurring source gas and the gas added during bottling.

  Source

• 2023

  Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaboration[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Campaign · Other

  Perrier and the DIMOO collectible-toy IP promoted a cross-category collaboration combining the water brand with contemporary character culture and limited-edition consumer engagement.

• 2023

  Perrier promotes lychee-flavored sparkling water through an East-meets-West campaign[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Product launch · Campaign

  The brand used its lychee flavor as the basis for a visual and social campaign framed around a blend of French and Chinese cultural references, parties, and romance.

• 2023

  Perrier collaborates with Love and Producer[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Campaign · Product launch

  Perrier worked with the mobile game Love and Producer on a spring-themed French-date activation involving co-branded products and branded merchandise.

• 2022

  UCCA Lab and Perrier launch the New Artists Programme[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Campaign

  Perrier partnered with UCCA Lab on a programme intended to support and showcase emerging artists, linking the brand with creative education and contemporary art.

• 2020

  Perrier releases a limited series with Takashi Murakami[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Campaign · Product launch

  The brand collaborated with artist Takashi Murakami on limited-edition packaging and related brand activity, using his recognizable visual language to create collectible appeal.

• 2019

  Perrier changes description of source carbon dioxide process[1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Perrier products began describing carbonation as involving the addition of carbon dioxide rather than reinforcement with gas from the source. The company said the change reduced water use and environmental impact.

• 2019

  Perrier stages the “Ba Shi Pao Yi Xia” summer activation[4]Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com

  Campaign

  Perrier ran a summer activation in China involving a pop-up experience and spokesperson-led promotion, presenting the brand as a lively seasonal refreshment.

• 2005

  French court halts Perrier restructuring plan[1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  A restructuring process announced by Nestlé in 2004 was halted after authorities found that staff had not been consulted adequately.

• 1992

  Nestlé acquires Perrier[1]Perrieren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Nestlé acquired Perrier after competing with the Agnelli family for control of the business. Perrier subsequently became part of Nestlé’s water operations.

• 1992

  Nestlé acquires Source Perrier[5]Nestlé acquires Source Perriernestle.com

  M&A

  Nestlé completed the acquisition of Source Perrier, bringing the Perrier brand into the Nestlé Waters portfolio after a contested takeover process.

1. 1Perrieren.wikipedia.org
2. 2French scrutiny of treatment practices in the bottled-water sectorreuters.com
3. 3Perrier bottles recalled after benzene contamination was foundnytimes.com
4. 4Perrier partners with DIMOO for a limited cultural collaborationsocialbeta.com
5. 5Nestlé acquires Source Perriernestle.com
6. 6Perrier Unveils New Product Designs in Collaboration with Artist Duo DABSMYLAbevnet.com