Perrier recalled millions of bottles in 1990 after benzene was found in some products.
The contamination was traced to activated-carbon filters used during the bottling process. A chemical treatment intended to purify the water had been regenerated improperly, allowing benzene to enter some bottles. Perrier withdrew its products from markets worldwide as a precaution.
Benzene is an industrial chemical and a known human carcinogen. The incident did not mean that Perrier’s natural spring source itself contained benzene; the problem arose during processing. The recall became a major example of how a manufacturing step can affect a product marketed as naturally sourced.
The event is sometimes confused with the 1990 controversy over benzene in soft drinks, but Perrier was bottled water. The recall damaged the brand’s reputation and prompted closer attention to bottling controls and chemical testing.