An urgent warning has been issued to bottled water consumers in three states after one brand was recalled due to bacterial contamination.
Berkeley Club Beverages was forced to recall 150,000 water bottles sold in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found coliform in the product.
Coliform bacteria are an indicator that more harmful microorganisms may be present, including E. coli, which can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and watery or bloody diarrhea.
The recall includes Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled in one- and five-gallon bottles.
It applies to copies with the codes 090326, 090426, 090526 and 090626, which can be found on the side of the bottle.
Although the amount or type of bacteria has not been revealed, the FDA has a zero limit for coliform bacteria.
With any recall, it is generally recommended that people stop using or consuming the affected products and throw them away or contact the manufacturer for next steps, otherwise they risk becoming ill with diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pain.
The FDA discovered levels of coliform bacteria in bottled water sold by Berkeley Beverage Club, Inc. The company recalled 150,000 bottles of water
The recall, which was issued in September, was rated Class III on Friday, meaning exposure to the bacteria is “unlikely to cause adverse health effects.”
Berkeley Club Beverages voluntarily recalled its product on September 12, and on November 13, the FDA ended its investigation.
That means the company has taken all necessary steps to fix the problem or remove the product from stores, but the warning was for consumers who were still holding the contaminated bottles.
Although Class III is considered the lowest, there is still a risk that the bacteria in the water could make consumers sick.
Coliforms are most often present in human and animal waste and enter drinking water through surface water contamination.
This can be caused by surface water runoff – when rain or snow seeps into a well through cracks in the well casing – through a poorly maintained septic system or when drinking water lines are connected to garden hoses or sinks.
Although most coliform bacteria do not cause disease, this may indicate E. coli strains that can cause serious illness.
In more severe cases, E. coli can develop into a blood disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to blood clotting, kidney disease, seizures, stroke, coma, and in rare cases, death.
Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of becoming ill or dying from bacteria in their water.
Coliform bacteria (photo) may indicate that there are more harmful microorganisms in the water, such as E. coli
Bottled water can become contaminated with coliform and other bacteria during the manufacturing process. That’s when the raw water is collected in tanks and large debris such as leaves and rocks are removed.
The water then undergoes pre-treatment, where small particles such as mud and sand are removed before it undergoes a distillation process and is disinfected with chemicals such as chlorine or UV light to kill any remaining bacteria.
If any contamination occurs in the bottling plant’s equipment or personnel during the manufacturing process, this can provide an opportunity for bacteria to enter the bottled water after it has been sterilized.
The EPA “considers total coliforms to be a useful indicator of other drinking water pathogens.”
Detecting coliforms in water is a method “used to determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The recall marks the third company to face a recall in the past 12 months.
In March, more than 78,500 cases of Figi Natural Artesan Water were recalled due to the presence of bacteria and the mineral manganese, which can cause memory and attention problems and cause babies to develop learning and behavioral problems.
Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water Naturally Alkaline Electrolytes Deep Well Water was also recalled in November 2023 when customers complained about unidentified “suspended particles” in the water.
DailyMail.com has contacted Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc for comment.