A class action lawsuit, filed last week against Nestlé Waters North America, contends that the company engaged in false marketing by claiming that its Poland Spring bottled water comes from “deep in the woods of Maine.”
The suit, filed in Connecticut Superior Court, alleged that many of the sources for Poland Spring are contaminated or near asphalt parking lots.
“Consumers purchase Poland Spring thinking they are getting a higher-quality natural spring water, but our suit will show that Poland Spring is neither natural nor spring water, and in fact comes from sources of a lesser quality than some tap water,” said attorney Tom Sobol in a statement.
The lawsuit will try to ban Nestlé from promoting its products as “spring water” if they don’t meet the scientific definitions.
Nestlé denies the charges. “Poland Spring is exactly what we say it is-natural spring water—and there are many criteria for that.” Nestle bottled water brands also include Deer Park, Ozarka and Calistoga.
Similar suits were filed in New Jersey Superior Court and Massachusetts Superior Court.
Nestlé has had a rough time in court. A California appellate court earlier this month upheld a $5 million damages award to a former Nestlé USA employee who claimed the company passed him over for promotion because he was over 40.
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