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Federal Judge Allows Key Claims to Proceed in Poland Spring Bottled Water Lawsuit
Edited by: Fern Sidman
A federal judge in Connecticut has refused to dismiss a long-standing lawsuit accusing the former Nestlé Waters North America of misleading consumers by marketing Poland Spring bottled water as “spring water.” As reported by Reuters, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer’s decision leaves open the pivotal question of whether Poland Spring qualifies as “spring water” under the legal standards of eight states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2017, alleges that consumers were deceived into overpaying for what was advertised as “Natural Spring Water” or “100% Natural Spring Water.” According to the report that appeared on Tuesday at Reuters, the plaintiffs argue that not a single drop of the approximately one billion gallons of Poland Spring water sold annually in the United States originates from a genuine natural spring. They further claim that the original Poland Spring in Maine ran dry nearly two decades before Nestlé acquired the brand in 1992.
Nestlé Waters, according to the information provided by Reuters, countered these claims by asserting that geologists and regulatory officials across the eight states validated that Poland Spring adhered to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition of “spring water.” The company maintained that each state explicitly approved Poland Spring’s labeling and sale as “spring water.” However, Judge Meyer pointed to testimony from an expert—a former Syracuse University earth sciences professor—who argued that Nestlé Waters appeared to have relied on man-made springs and surface water sources, including pond water, rather than authentic spring water.
Despite siding with Nestlé Waters on certain aspects, Judge Meyer ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to demand revised labeling, as they are now aware of the alleged “truth” about Poland Spring and can choose to purchase alternative brands. Nevertheless, key claims in the lawsuit remain active, leaving significant legal and commercial stakes for the bottled water giant.
Reuters reported that Poland Spring is now owned by Primo Brands, a Tampa-based company formed through a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 2021, Nestlé sold its North American bottled water business to two private equity firms, who subsequently renamed it BlueTriton. This company then merged with Primo Water in November 2023 to form the current Primo Brands entity.
In a statement to Reuters, Primo Brands defended its practices, asserting confidence in the compliance of Poland Spring’s water sources with FDA regulations. “Poland Spring brand bottled water is 100% spring water,” the company stated. “We remain confident in our position and look forward to successfully defending against the remaining claims.”
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
The case, Patane v. Nestlé Waters North America Inc., is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under case number 17-01381. As the Reuters report indicated, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications not only for Poland Spring but also for broader labeling practices in the bottled water industry.
While Nestlé Waters has successfully mitigated some claims in this complex litigation, the core allegations remain unresolved. With billions of dollars and brand integrity on the line, this case is set to remain a focal point of scrutiny in both legal and consumer advocacy circles.
