Is Perrier Bottled Water Safe? PFAS + Contaminant Testing Results (2026)
Nestlé brand. Among the lowest PFAS of sparkling waters tested (1.1 ppt, Consumer Reports 2020).
Quick answer
Perrier is sparkling water from Nestlé, bottled at Vergèze, France. PFAS testing status: PFAS detected - 1.1 ppt, among the lowest tested (Consumer Reports 2020). KnowYourExposure rates it B - Among the lowest PFAS of sparkling waters tested (1.1 ppt, Consumer Reports 2020). No bottled water is a reliable long-term PFAS fix: a certified reverse-osmosis or NSF 53 filter removes PFAS from any tap or bottled source for a fraction of the cost.
How we rate: we report published third-party testing, primarily Consumer Reports' 2020 bottled water PFAS investigation, plus brand-published water quality reports. We do not test products ourselves, and where no independent PFAS testing exists we say so rather than estimate.
Quick facts
- Trust rating
- B (Among the lowest PFAS of sparkling waters tested (1.1 ppt, Consumer Reports 2020))
- PFAS testing
- PFAS detected - 1.1 ppt, among the lowest tested (Consumer Reports 2020)
- Water type
- sparkling
- Bottled at
- Vergèze, France
- Parent company
- Nestlé
What we know about PFAS in Perrier
Consumer Reports 2020 measured 1.1 ppt total PFAS in Perrier - among the lowest of the 12 sparkling waters it tested, and right at the 1 ppt level some scientists recommend. Perrier sources from a single protected spring in southern France with naturally carbonated mineral water, and Nestlé publishes annual water quality reports. However, Perrier had a 1990 benzene contamination incident and a 2024 French regulatory finding that Nestlé had used unauthorized treatments on several "mineral water" brands.
Packaging and microplastics
Glass bottles for most SKUs (eliminates microplastic concerns) and aluminum cans. The glass option is one of the cleanest packaging choices in bottled water.
Known issues, recalls & lawsuits
- 1990: Benzene contamination led to global recall of 160 million bottles
- 2024: French regulator confirmed Nestlé used unauthorized UV/carbon treatment on "mineral" brands - Perrier impacted
- Nestlé groundwater extraction practices criticized in multiple regions
Safer alternatives to Perrier
- San Pellegrino is the closest equivalent with similar published water quality data
- Mountain Valley sparkling is US-sourced with published PFAS testing
- A SodaStream + filtered tap eliminates source-ethics concerns
- Crystal Geyser sparkling is a more affordable US option
Brands to compare: San Pellegrino (rated B), Mountain Valley Spring Water (rated A).
Frequently asked questions
- Does Perrier contain PFAS?
- Consumer Reports 2020 measured 1.1 ppt total PFAS in Perrier - among the lowest of the 12 sparkling waters it tested, and right at the 1 ppt level some scientists recommend. Perrier sources from a single protected spring in southern France with naturally carbonated mineral water, and Nestlé publishes annual water quality reports. However, Perrier had a 1990 benzene contamination incident and a 2024 French regulatory finding that Nestlé had used unauthorized treatments on several "mineral water" brands.
- Where is Perrier bottled?
- Perrier is bottled at Vergèze, France. The parent company is Nestlé.
- Is Perrier safer than tap water?
- Not necessarily. Perrier comes from a specific source, but most US tap water is held to similar EPA monitoring requirements. A certified home filter removes the same contaminants without the plastic packaging.
- What's the safest alternative to Perrier?
- Mountain Valley Spring Water consistently tests clean for PFAS and is bottled in glass. For everyday use, a Clearly Filtered or AquaTru reverse osmosis system removes 99% of PFAS from any tap source for a fraction of the cost.
- Has Perrier been recalled?
- Yes – known issues include: 1990: Benzene contamination led to global recall of 160 million bottles; 2024: French regulator confirmed Nestlé used unauthorized UV/carbon treatment on "mineral" brands - Perrier impacted.