Today, a significant lawsuit regarding the labelling of Evian spring water has been resolved.
Danone faced allegations concerning its representation of Evian water as “natural,” even though microplastics were detected within the product. These claims were brought forward in a proposed class action, highlighting growing concerns about the prevalence of microplastics in bottled water and other beverages.
However, US District Judge Thomas Durkin ruled in favour of Danone, dismissing the case. He clarified that regulatory guidelines stipulate that the term ‘natural spring water’ pertains to the origin of the water—specifically, its harvest from a natural spring—rather than its microplastic content.
Judge Durkin noted that according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the regulations for spring water do not reference microplastic impurities. Thus, as long as the water is sourced from a natural spring, it can be labelled as such, and consequently, described as “natural.”
The lawsuit surfaced amidst increasing attention on microplastics in consumer products. Recent studies, including one from Unity of New York, identified microplastic presence not only in Evian but also in brands like San Pellegrino and Highland Spring. These microplastics are potentially introduced through packaging materials.
Despite these findings, the Food Standards Agency in the UK has reported that current levels of microplastics in bottled water are not believed to pose a health risk. This assurance aligns with the court’s decision, as the absence of specific regulatory language regarding microplastics played a pivotal role in the case’s outcome.
Danone, while approached for comments, has yet to issue a public response following the dismissal of the lawsuit.
The dismissal of the lawsuit highlights regulatory nuances regarding product labelling and the current understanding of microplastic risks in consumable goods.
