Do I care for natural mineral water? No, I drink a tap water with a filter, home and on dining-out. Though, an article by Jonathan Wolfe of The NY Times/business section in NY Times on 5/26/25 caught my attention. It was about Perrier’s branding troubles in the EU and France.

The reporter said it was about “the issue on the marketing of Perrier as ‘natural mineral water,’ a term whose use was strictly regulated by France and the EU.” And continued “French regulators and independent consumer watchdogs have accused Nestle Waters, Perrier’s French parent company, of using filters and ultraviolet sterilizers for years to treat the water. The process for bottling water should not be considered as ‘natural.’ “

There are so many products and services claiming such as natural, organic, sustainable, or best in the marketplace to attract consumers. Even some non-profit institutions or political organizations claim they are of some sort of special values with misleading self-claiming. So do politicians.

Claiming values in the brand are better be checked periodically and verified by your own studies. In other words, we should be skeptical about even established brand’s self-claimed values. Let’s recognize current marketplace and culture are built on eye-catching and attention-hungry marketers, big or small. Let’s remember not to jump into a hasty decision. Think slow and check if their claiming values are valid and supported by the fact based on original sources. Established brands also change the service levels or ingredients.

After I read the above article, I checked the aisles where Perrier’s and its competitors are shelved at our local supermarkets. I could not find a familiar tear-drop shape Perrier’s on the shelf. Instead, Maison Perrier brand package was found. Its label indicated nothing about “Natural Mineral Sparkling Water.” Their brand was overwhelming pushed aside by many other sparkling water brands on the shelf. Funny thing I have found was that S. Pellegrino, from Italy that is also owned by Nestle, says “Sparkling Natural Mineral Water” on its label.

Water from the original spring is obviously threatened by soil contamination and flooding worldwide. Microplastics are found in our environment including water. Don’t be fooled with so-to-speak established good brands. Yesterday’s claimed values may become today’s false statement. Nothing remains the same. Be aware of brand’s self-claiming values.