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Federal Judge Declines to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Poland Spring Water Claims
A federal judge in Connecticut has refused to dismiss a long-running lawsuit accusing the former Nestle Waters North America of misleading consumers by labeling its Poland Spring bottled water as “spring water.”
Key Legal Issues
The lawsuit raises questions about whether Poland Spring bottled water meets the legal definition of “spring water” under the laws of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Meyer in New Haven called this an “open question.”
Allegations by Plaintiffs
The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in 2017, alleging that:
- Misleading Labels: Labels claiming “Natural Spring Water” or “100% Natural Spring Water” were deceptive.
- Non-Spring Sources: The water did not come from natural springs but instead from man-made sources, ponds, and surface water.
- Original Spring Ran Dry: The original Poland Spring in Maine dried up decades before Nestle purchased the brand in 1992.
Defense Arguments
The defense, representing the company now known as Primo Brands, argued that:
- Compliance with FDA and State Rules: Geologists and officials in multiple states confirmed the water met the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definition of “spring water.”
- Authorized Sale: The bottled water was approved as “spring water” by regulatory bodies in the relevant states.
Judge’s Ruling
Judge Meyer:
- Allowed Some Claims to Proceed: While dismissing some parts of the lawsuit, the judge permitted others to continue.
- Rejected Label Change Demands: He ruled that plaintiffs, now aware of the alleged issues, could avoid purchasing the brand, thus lacking standing to demand new labels.
Expert Testimony
A former Syracuse University earth sciences professor, hired by the plaintiffs, testified that:
- The company appeared to use man-made springs and surface water sources.
- These practices do not align with what constitutes “true” spring water.
Corporate Developments
- Brand Ownership Changes: Nestle Waters, originally part of Nestle, was sold in 2021 to private equity firms and renamed BlueTriton.
- Formation of Primo Brands: In 2023, BlueTriton merged with Primo Water to form the company now defending against the lawsuit.
Future Implications
The lawsuit could set an industry precedent for the labeling and marketing of bottled water, especially regarding the definition of “spring water” under FDA and state regulations.
The case continues under the title Patane v. Nestle Waters North America Inc in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.