Drinking Water Recall: More Than 150,000 Bottles Pulled From Shelves Over Bacteria Risk

More than 150,000 bottles of water have been recalled due to the presence of coliforms, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice.

The recall, initiated on Sept. 12 and classified by the FDA on Nov. 8, affects bottled water produced by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc.—specifically Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled in 1- and 5-gallon bottles.

In all, 151,397.75 bottles of water are affected by the recall. The bottles were distributed in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia and have the following codes:

• 090326
• 090426
• 090526
• 090626
  

The recall has been given a class III designation, which means this is a situation where “use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” This is considered the least serious classification of FDA recalls.

Coliforms, or coliform bacteria, are organisms that are found in soil, water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste. Coliform is considered an “indicator bacteria,” which means its presence suggests that other bacteria that can make you sick are present in the water.

Most coliform bacteria do not cause disease, but some rare strains of Escherichia coli—one type of coliform bacteria—can cause serious illness. That includes the strain 0157:H7, which has been found in cattle, chickens, pigs, and sheep. It’s rare for E. coli 0157:H7 to contaminate drinking water, though.

E. coli typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea that’s bloody or watery, stomach cramps that can be severe, vomiting, or a low fever. However, some forms of E. coli can trigger a serious health condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.

The FDA did not state whether E. coli was detected in the recalled bottled water, and Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc., did not respond to Health’s request for comment by the deadline.

This isn’t the only bottled water recall this year. In May, the producers of Fiji Natural Artesian Water recalled nearly 1.9 million bottles of water after testing revealed they contained manganese and three strains of bacteria.

Though the FDA notice doesn’t explicitly state what to do if you have the recalled bottles at home, it’s common that companies suggest you stop drinking or using the affected products, throw them away, and contact the producer—in this case, Berkeley Club Beverages—for more information on next steps.