In a recent development, the Berkeley Springs brand has issued a recall for 1,304 bottles of both its purified and distilled water. The initial report had inaccurately stated a much larger quantity of 151,397 bottles. The affected products were sold in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Consumers are urged to check the lot codes of their water bottles. The lot codes to be on the lookout for are 090326, 090426, 090526, and 090626. The reason behind this recall is the detection of coliform bacteria, which serves as an indicator of possible fecal contamination.
This recall has been classified as a Class III recall by the FDA, which is the lowest risk level. The FDA notes that it is “unlikely to cause harm,” but it still represents a violation of safety standards. As of now, there have been no reported illnesses related to the consumption of these bottles. However, the presence of coliform bacteria can be a sign of more dangerous pathogens such as E. coli.
If harmful bacteria are present, there are potential health risks. These can range from mild diarrhea to severe gastrointestinal illness. In the case of E. coli, if it is present, symptoms can include bloody stool and vomiting.
For consumers who may have the affected water bottles, the steps are clear. First, check the lot codes on the bottles. If the lot code matches any of the ones listed above, the bottles should be discarded immediately. They should not be used for drinking or cooking. Additionally, if anyone feels ill after potentially consuming the water, they are advised to contact their local health department.
This recall comes in the context of a similar situation in May 2024, when Fiji Water recalled 1.9 million bottles under a Class III recall. It also highlights the FDA’s zero – tolerance policy for coliform in bottled water, even when the risk of harm is considered low.
For those seeking more information, the FDA report can be accessed at www.fda.gov/recalls, and the CDC’s information on waterborne illness is available at www.cdc.gov/healthywater. Although this recall was terminated on November 13, it’s important to note that affected bottles may still be in some households. As the saying goes, when in doubt, toss it out, to ensure personal health and safety.
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