August 2025 | BlueTriton Brands now faces two class action lawsuits.BlueTriton owns Poland Spring, a leading bottled water brand in the United States. Two lawsuits now accuse the company of false labels, health threats, and dishonest marketing.These cases follow years of public doubt about bottled water claims. Poland Spring controls a large share of the market.
Millions in the Northeast buy it each year. Most believe the label promises clean, natural spring water. The lawsuits say that belief is false. One case focuses on the source of the water. The plaintiffs say the product does not come from natural springs. It comes from regular groundwater pulled through artificial systems. That breaks federal rules. It also misguides buyers.
The second lawsuit targets the water inside the bottles. Tests show the product contains high levels of plastic-based chemicals. These include phthalates and microplastics. Both may harm human health. The label says “100% Natural.” The test results say otherwise.
These lawsuits claim BlueTriton tricked the public. They say the company used nature-based labels and slogans to push a product that fails to meet those standards. The pressure now builds from courts, consumers, and health advocates. The final outcome could change how bottled water is sold across the country.
Nestlé and BlueTriton Accused of Fake Spring Water Claims
The Joseph Saveri Law Firm represents eleven plaintiffs in a federal class action lawsuit filed in the District of Connecticut. The firm says Nestlé Waters North America, now BlueTriton Brands, falsely marketed Poland Spring as “100% Natural Spring Water” for over 30 years.
The complaint alleges Nestlé sold common groundwater from drilled wells across Maine. None of the company’s eight main sites qualify as springs under FDA rules. At one site, the original Poland Spring stopped flowing. Nestlé now uses machinery to simulate a spring.
Label images of mountain ponds and green hills misled buyers. Some groundwater collection points sit near old waste dumps. Yet the product claims natural purity.
The lawsuit says these manoeuvres helped Nestlé dominate the bottled water market and undercut smaller, honest spring water brands.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Poland Spring Bottles
A second class action adds more weight. Filed against BlueTriton Brands, this lawsuit claims that every Poland Spring bottle contains harmful plastic-based compounds.
Consumer Reports tested the product and found over 4,200 phthalates per bottle. These industrial chemicals can interfere with hormone function and damage organs. The lawsuit also highlights widespread microplastic contamination. Researchers found up to 325 plastic particles per litre in tested bottles.
Plaintiffs argue that these findings destroy the brand’s claim of being “100% Natural.” They say BlueTriton profited by charging higher prices for a product that misrepresents itself.
Legal Setbacks for BlueTriton in Ongoing Litigation
The groundwater mislabelling case has moved through several legal phases since 2018. After an initial dismissal, plaintiffs filed a stronger amended complaint in 2019. Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer allowed most claims to proceed, except those based on Vermont law.
In 2020 and 2022, the court rejected Nestlé’s attempts to block claims based on state law technicalities. Only one argument—relating to Rhode Island’s trade law—succeeded.
Judge Meyer ruled that most claims deserved further trial because of possible fraudulent concealment and unresolved statute of limitations.
Millions May Qualify for Refunds
The lawsuits reach far beyond a few buyers. Anyone in the United States who bought Poland Spring water may qualify. The case includes everyday consumers who trusted the brand’s label and paid extra for what they believed was natural spring water.
Poland Spring sells over 13 million units every year. Most sales come from the Northeast. Many customers chose it over cheaper brands. They believed the product came from a clean, natural spring. The lawsuits say that the belief was false. They claim BlueTriton sold groundwater and chemical-tainted water under a false promise.
A court ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could bring heavy penalties for the company. That could include refund payments to millions of customers. It may also include fines under state and federal false advertising laws. The total cost could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
The lawsuits also seek permanent changes. The plaintiffs want the court to stop BlueTriton from using the “Poland Spring” name. They also want a ban on labels that show forests, mountains, or any nature-themed imagery unless backed by facts.
A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would not only force refunds. It could also wipe out decades of brand identity. BlueTriton may need to rename the product, redesign its bottles, and rebuild public trust from the ground up.
This case sends a clear message. Bottled water companies must tell the truth. Misleading words and images have a cost—and the public now demands answers.
Industry Impact Could Be Widespread
These lawsuits go beyond Poland Spring. Many bottled water brands claim to offer natural spring water. Most use nature-themed labels and clean-water slogans. Courts may now test those claims.
A ruling against BlueTriton could trigger a wave of reviews. Federal and state regulators may step in. They could demand proof for every “natural” or “spring-sourced” claim. Labels may face new rules. Companies may need to verify water origins and remove vague language.
Public trust may also shift. Buyers now question what these bottles contain. The label says “natural”. Test results say otherwise. Consumers may no longer accept that at face value. They may want proof. They may turn to brands that provide clear answers.
The lawsuits expose a weak spot in the industry. Brands built on image may face new legal risks. Courts may force bottled water companies to clean up their marketing. That could reshape how water products appear on store shelves.
Bottom Line: Poland Spring promised pure spring water. The lawsuits say that the promise was false. Courts will soon decide if the brand sold the truth—or sold an illusion.
