A federal judge in Connecticut has refused to dismiss a class action lawsuit accusing Poland Spring bottled water of misleading consumers by labeling its product as “spring water,” despite allegations that it may not originate from a natural spring.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer issued his ruling this week, allowing the lawsuit to proceed while rejecting some of the plaintiffs’ claims. The case, which has been ongoing for several years, centers around allegations that the company behind Poland Spring, formerly Nestlé Waters North America and now owned by Primo Brands, deceived customers by marketing the water as “Natural Spring Water” or “100% Natural Spring Water” when, according to the lawsuit, it did not come from an actual spring.
The lawsuit claims that “not one drop” of the estimated 1 billion gallons of Poland Spring water sold annually in the United States originates from a natural spring, and that the actual Poland Spring in Maine “ran dry” two decades ago. The plaintiffs argue that the company used alternative sources such as pond water and man-made springs, rather than authentic spring water.
While Judge Meyer acknowledged some of the claims in the lawsuit, he left open the crucial question of whether Poland Spring qualifies as “spring water” under the laws of eight U.S. states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The judge’s ruling leaves the matter to be explored further in court, where plaintiffs and defendants will continue to argue over the definition and legitimacy of the water source.
Nestlé Waters, now known as Primo Brands, sought to dismiss the case, citing support from geologists and state officials who claimed Poland Spring water complied with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations defining “spring water.” According to the company, the product was legally recognized as spring water in the states where it is sold.
However, the plaintiffs have hired experts, including a former earth sciences professor from Syracuse University, who argues that the water used by Poland Spring comes from non-natural sources, including artificially created springs and surface water. This testimony led Judge Meyer to allow the case to move forward.
In a statement following the ruling, Primo Brands expressed confidence in the quality and legitimacy of its Poland Spring water, asserting that the Maine springs from which it sources its product comply with all FDA regulations. “Poland Spring brand bottled water is 100% spring water,” the company said. “We remain confident in our position and look forward to successfully defending against the remaining claims.”
Despite the setback in this case, Primo Brands maintains that the water it bottles and sells adheres to industry standards. The company emphasized that consumers are now well-informed and can make decisions based on this knowledge.
While the ruling allows the lawsuit to continue, it remains to be seen whether the plaintiffs will ultimately succeed in proving their claims. As the case progresses, the focus will likely be on whether Poland Spring’s water truly meets the criteria defined by the FDA for “spring water” or whether it has been misleadingly marketed.
Read more: