Starbucks Korea halts sales of Perrier’s sparkling water

[Photo by Han Joo-hyung]

Starbucks Korea has confirmed the suspension of sales of the premium natural sparkling water brand Perrier in its stores from February 2024 onwards due to hygiene and safety concerns.

Sales have been halted since February 1st due to hygiene and safety issues and it is currently undecided when sales will resume, a Starbucks Korea official said on Monday.

Perrier, a top brand in the imported sparkling water market, saw its products face safety concerns in the European Union (EU) in January 2024 after The Guardian, a U.K. news media outlet, ran an exposé revealing foul play by global food and beverage company Nestlé, which produces high-end waters such as Perrier and Vittel.

Irregularities were discovered in Perrier’s production process and the investigation found that despite being natural spring water, Perrier was artificially carbonated or produced by adding tap water to spring water. It was also revealed that Perrier used a method of ozone disinfection for spring water, which is illegal under EU regulations.