The FDA issued a Class III recall for over 150,000 bottles of water bottled by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. out of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The products tested positive for coliforms, which are, “bacteria present in the digestive tracts of animals, including humans, and are found in their wastes,” according to the New York State Department of Health. They are also found in plant and soil material. However, a Class III classification is used in, “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences,” the FDA says.
The bottles impacted include one- and five-gallon varieties with the label “Berkeley Springs Water Purified” or “Berkeley Springs Water Distilled” and have the following product codes.
- 090326
- 090426
- 090526
- 090626
This recall impacts the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Not all coliforms are dangerous, but some types, like E. coli, can cause illness. So in general, when coliforms are found, their presence could indicate more harmful types are also present.
Coliform bacteria in drinking water supplies. According to the CDC, there are several different types of E. coli, but some common symptoms of infection include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
Even though the water bottles included in this recall may not directly cause harm, it’s probably better to be safe than sorry and refrain from drinking them. Berkeley Springs hasn’t released any specific information about what to do with previously purchased water impacted by this recall. But if you do drink bottled water that makes you sick, you can contact your local health department to report it, advises the CDC.