News

This bottled water faces contamination scare: What UAE consumers need to know

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9 months ago

April 21, 2025

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As bottled water remains a staple in many UAE households and restaurants, a recent alleged contamination scare involving Perrier water has raised concerns among consumers globally. Health authorities in the Occitanie region of France have reported the discovery of bacterial contamination in Perrier bottles produced at the Vergèze plant, prompting further investigations.

This news could have ripple effects for UAE consumers, many of whom trust international brands for quality and safety. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments surrounding this iconic water brand.

The Contamination Details

Health authorities in France’s Occitanie region have reported new contamination concerns regarding Perrier water bottles produced at the Vergèze plant, following three documented cases of non-compliance with health standards.

According to Radio France Internationale, around 300,000 75cl bottles were found to be contaminated with “pathogenic intestinal bacteria” during an internal inspection on March 11. The affected bottles came from production batches dated March 10 and 11. Tests revealed the presence of coliform bacteria, a type of Escherichia coli, leading the company to suspend distribution of the affected batches until further testing.

Additionally, the company flagged a second batch of 395 pallets due to a cap supply defect, leading to a technical non-compliance issue reported on March 22 and formally recorded on April 4. On April 10, further bacterial contamination was discovered during a health inspection of the plant’s wells and bottling lines by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), resulting in the isolation of another batch comprising 1,018 pallets.

Bottles quarantined

Despite these issues, the company stated that previous contamination cases in February and March had undergone further testing and were deemed compliant, allowing for the resumption of distribution after a joint decision by the ARS and the Gard Prefecture. Nestlé Waters, the parent company of Perrier, clarified that some bottles had been quarantined due to minor deviations involving non-pathogenic natural flora or technical interventions causing malfunctions.

These repeated contamination concerns now threaten Perrier’s “natural mineral water” designation, a protected status governed by strict French regulations. This follows ongoing controversy surrounding the brand’s use of disinfectants in water labeled as “natural mineral”. Although the disinfectants are not harmful, they are banned for this classification, drawing criticism from both consumers and regulatory bodies.

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed it is investigating the matter, following a formal complaint from the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). A parliamentary inquiry committee set up in November to scrutinise bottled water companies is expected to release its final report on May 19.

For consumers in the UAE, this serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and quality of bottled products, especially those with a global presence like Perrier. As the situation develops, it is crucial for consumers to stay informed about the safety of the brands they trust.

(Source: Wam)

Related Topics:bateria bottledwater contaminatedwater France mineralwater nestle perrier water

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Dubai approves City Terminal Project allowing passengers to check-in anywhere in the city

Published

7 mins ago

January 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai has approved a major travel innovation that could reshape the passenger experience at the world’s busiest international airport.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has approved the City Terminal Project, enabling travellers to check in for flights at multiple locations across Dubai before heading to the airport.

The initiative will serve passengers flying from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), making air travel faster, more efficient and more convenient.

How The City Terminal Will Work

Under the new system, passengers will be able to:

Complete flight check-in procedures within the city
Drop off luggage at designated locations
Travel directly to the airport departure halls via secure, dedicated transport

The project aims to reduce congestion around DXB, streamline passenger flow and support Dubai’s long-term transition toward Al Maktoum International Airport as its primary aviation hub.

Who Is Leading the Project

While official check-in locations have not yet been revealed, the initiative is being led by Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) in collaboration with:

Dubai Police
Dubai Airports
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai
Emirates Airline
e& Group

Part of the Dubai 10X Initiative

The City Terminal Project is one of three future-focused initiatives approved under the Dubai 10X Initiative, which aims to position Dubai 10 years ahead of other global cities through innovation and government collaboration.

The other approved projects include:

20-Minute City, led by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), ensures residents can access 80 per cent of essential services within 20 minutes using sustainable transport
Disease Early Detection System, led by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), focused on proactive and predictive healthcare

Together, these initiatives target key sectors including mobility, health and travel, with a strong focus on improving quality of life.

Why It Matters

Dubai handles tens of millions of passengers annually, and projects like City Terminal are expected to:

Ease airport congestion
Improve traveller comfort and efficiency
Support the gradual shift to DWC
Strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a global aviation and smart-city leader

The three initiatives were selected from 79 proposals developed by more than 120 employees across 33 government entities, and were evaluated for impact, speed of implementation, cross-government integration, and quality-of-life outcomes.

What Sheikh Hamdan Said

Sheikh Hamdan said the Dubai 10X Initiative has driven a major shift in government operations by embedding a culture of innovation and collaboration.

“Accelerating government performance is central to our future vision. We will continue to empower government entities to pioneer bold, high-impact projects that redefine excellence in public service,” he said.

Announcements

Ajman to launch new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre under 2026 law

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23 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Ajman has announced the establishment of a new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre, aimed at streamlining landlord-tenant disputes and strengthening stability in the emirate’s real estate sector.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026, formally creating the centre and replacing the existing rental disputes committee.

Clearer, Faster Rental Dispute Resolution

The new law introduces transparent and clearly defined mechanisms for reviewing and adjudicating rental disputes, with the objective of:

Protecting the rights of landlords and tenants
Enhancing confidence in Ajman’s property market
Supporting a stable and attractive investment environment

Jurisdiction and Scope

The specialised centre will have authority over all rental-related disputes between landlords and tenants, including:

Residential and commercial properties
Properties located within free zones

Cases will be handled using procedures aligned with recognised legal and judicial standards, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Boosting Market Stability

Officials said the new centre is designed to:

Speed up dispute resolution
Reduce litigation timelines
Ensure swift and effective justice

The move is expected to contribute to social and economic stability in Ajman’s leasing and real estate sector, while reinforcing investor confidence.

News

Abu Dhabi updates traffic diversion rules, Darb tolls to boost road safety and efficiency

Published

23 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) has announced new amendments to Abu Dhabi’s traffic diversion regulations, aimed at improving traffic flow, safety and compliance at construction and roadwork sites across the emirate.

The updated framework strengthens oversight of traffic permits, enhances enforcement powers and introduces clearer procedures for emergency works.

Key Changes to Traffic Diversion Rules

Under the revised regulations:

Definitions related to traffic permits and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been updated to improve clarity
Traffic permits are non-transferable; any attempt to transfer a permit will render it invalid
Emergency works may proceed without prior permit approval, provided all road safety requirements are met
ITC must be notified before emergency work begins, and a formal permit application must be submitted within 24 hours if work exceeds 12 hours

Permit Suspension and Enforcement Powers

The amendments grant ITC expanded authority to:

Temporarily suspend issuing traffic permits based on site conditions or safety risks
Reject extension requests or cancel permits if requirements are not met
Take action against entities that exceed approved timelines or commit repeated administrative violations

The schedule of violations and fines has also been updated to reflect current standards, with conflicting older provisions officially repealed.

Training, Inspections and Compliance

ITC said the changes followed specialised workshops and training programmes for contractors, consultants and relevant stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of safety standards.

The Centre will continue inspection campaigns and field visits, with fines imposed on violators to: