Bottled Bacteria: Possible E Coli Contamination Causes Massive Water Recall

A Pennsylvania water bottling company has issued a voluntary recall due to possible E. coli contamination.

The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and Health issued the warning. They say spring water bottled by Niagara between June 10 and June 18 at its facilities in Hamburg, Berks County, and Upper Macungie, Lehigh County should not be consumed.

From Niagara’s website:

Niagara was notified that the source was potentially compromised. There have been no reports of any illness or injury related to the above mentioned products to date and finished product testing detected no contaminants or issues of any kind. This voluntary withdrawal is being implemented in cooperation with State and Federal Agencies.

According to state authorities, Niagara purchased spring water from Far Away Springs-Auburn in Schuylkill County, and multiple water quality sample results from Far Away Springs taken during routine testing have indicated the presence of E. coli in the water.

Food Safety News reports that Niagara said the bacteria were found on June 10. The company also said, “As the spring source did not notify us in a timely manner, we have discontinued the use of this source.”

The water was sold under the following brand names:

Acadia
Acme
Big Y
Best Yet
7-11
Niagara
Nature’s Place
Pricerite
Superchill
Morning Fresh
Shaws
Shoprite
Western Beef Blue
Wegman’s

According to Food Safety News, on June 19, Niagara posted a notice that contained the following information:

The recalled water should be boiled for one minute and cooled before being used. “Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water,” the notice stated. Consumers may also return the recalled product for a full refund, the company stated.

“E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.  They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems,” the Niagara notice stated.

If you purchased any of the brands listed above, here’s how to figure out if your water may be contaminated:

The code information on the bottle will reveal whether it is part of the recall. It shows the place, date and time the product was produced. Only the bottled spring water with codes beginning with “F” or “A” are affected, the company stated.

The first digit after the letter indicates the number of the production line. The next two numbers indicate the day, then the month in letters, the year, and then the time, based on a 24-hour clock.

For example, A610JUN15 2000 means produced on Allentown line 6, manufactured on June 10, 2015, at 8 p.m. A list of the recalled lots with case codes and best-by dates can be found here. (source)

Water restrictions, fluoridation, and contamination are all serious threats to humanity. To increase your odds of having an adequate supply on hand (if you haven’t already), learn how to conserve, collect, find, and purify water.