You might think that bottled water is the safest thing you can drink, but recent recalls show that’s not always the case. Multiple popular bottled water brands have been pulled from shelves after testing positive for bacteria, and some of these products might still be sitting in your pantry right now. While most of these recalls won’t land you in the hospital, a few have been serious enough to cause real health problems. Here’s what you need to know about the bottled water brands that have been recalled and what to look for before you take another sip.
Berkeley Club Beverages found bacteria in September
Berkeley Club Beverages recalled over 1,000 bottles of water in September 2024 after testing found coliforms in their products. These bacteria aren’t usually dangerous on their own, but they’re a red flag that other nastier stuff might be lurking in your water. The company bottles water in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and their products were sold in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you bought one- or five-gallon bottles labeled “Berkeley Springs Water Purified” or “Berkeley Springs Water Distilled” with product codes starting with 090326, 090426, 090526, or 090626, you’ll want to check your supply.
The good news is that the FDA gave this recall a Class III classification, which means it’s unlikely to cause serious health problems. There’s actually a funny story behind this one – the FDA originally reported that over 151,000 bottles were recalled, but that turned out to be a huge mistake. A company spokesperson called it a “tremendous mistake” and said most bottles were already recovered and destroyed. Still, coliforms are found in animal waste and soil, so finding them in your drinking water is definitely not ideal.
Fiji Water had manganese and bacteria problems
More than 78,500 cases of Fiji Natural Artesian Water were recalled back in March 2024 after the company’s own testing revealed elevated manganese levels and three types of bacteria. Before you panic, a Fiji spokesperson said the bacteria found weren’t harmful to humans. The recall affected 500 mL bottles with specific case and bottle codes, and they were distributed throughout Washington state and sold nationwide through online retailers. If you’re a Fiji fan, you can relax – the recall was resolved quickly and the water is back on shelves.
The FDA classified this recall as Class III in late May, the least serious type of recall. Even though the bacteria weren’t dangerous, manganese in high amounts can affect the nervous system over time. The company moved fast to pull the affected products, and most people who bought them probably never even knew there was an issue. It’s worth noting that this recall shows even premium bottled water brands aren’t immune to contamination problems, despite their fancy marketing about pristine water sources.
Waiakea water had mysterious floating particles
Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water recalled over 3,800 cases of their one-liter bottles in November 2023 after customers started complaining about weird floating particles in their water. The recall covered products with codes WB123275 and WB123276, and they were sold in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Colorado. The company never publicly identified what those floating particles were, which is a bit unsettling when you think about it. Were they minerals? Plastic bits? Something else entirely?
The FDA gave this one a Class II classification in April, which is more serious than Class III. A Class II means there’s a chance of temporary health problems or a slight chance of serious health issues. Whatever was floating in that water, it was concerning enough to warrant a middle-tier recall. The mystery around what exactly customers were seeing in their bottles makes this recall particularly creepy. When you’re paying premium prices for Hawaiian volcanic water, floating mystery objects are definitely not what you signed up for.
Real Water caused actual liver failure
This one is genuinely scary. Real Alkalized Water got hit with a Class I recall in May 2021 – that’s the most serious type of recall the FDA can issue, reserved for products that could cause serious health problems or death. The FDA was notified of cases of acute liver failure after people drank this water. Yes, you read that right – liver failure from drinking water. The water was sold in bottles ranging from 16.9 ounces up to five-gallon jugs, and it was linked to cases of nonviral hepatitis in the Las Vegas area that started popping up in November 2020.
A lawsuit alleged that the water contained hydrazine, a toxic chemical that can destroy your liver. The court ruled in favor of the victims with a $3 billion judgment in June. Here’s the really disturbing part – even after the recall was issued, the water was still being sold in some stores as late as September. The company ceased operations and has never resumed production, but somehow their deadly product was still making it onto shelves. The FDA and Department of Justice both investigated, and multiple lawsuits are still ongoing years later. This is a perfect example of why you should always check recall lists before drinking bottled water you’ve had sitting around.
Niagara Bottling recalled 14 different brands
Niagara Bottling LLC caused a massive recall that affected 14 different bottled water brands after one of their spring water sources tested positive for E. coli bacteria. This recall was huge because Niagara doesn’t just sell water under their own name – they bottle water for tons of other brands too. The affected brands included Acadia, Big Y, Best Yet, Western Beef Blue, Superchill, 7-Eleven, Niagara, Pricerite, Wegmans, Morning Fresh, Shaws, and Nature’s Place. If you bought any spring water from these brands between June 10th at 3 a.m. and June 18th at 8 p.m., your water was potentially contaminated.
The contaminated water came from facilities in Pennsylvania, specifically Allentown and Hamburg. The positive E. coli test means the water source was contaminated with human or animal waste. Niagara tried to distance itself from the independent source in Auburn, Pennsylvania, but the damage was done. Stores including Acme, 7-Eleven, Wegmans, and ShopRite all had to pull products from their shelves. The company offered refunds and advised people to either boil the water for at least one minute or just throw it out. This recall shows how one contaminated water source can affect a massive number of products across multiple brands.
Reading product codes can save you from drinking bad water
Most people throw away the packaging as soon as they get home, but those product codes printed on water bottles are actually important. For the Niagara recall, affected products had specific codes beginning with letter A for the Allentown facility and letter F for Hamburg. The first digit after the letter shows the production line number, and the numbers that follow tell you exactly when the product was completed. If you keep your water bottles in the fridge or pantry for a while, those codes are your only way to know if you’ve got recalled water.
Different brands use different coding systems, which makes it confusing when recalls happen. Berkeley Club used six-digit codes starting with 0903, 0904, 0905, or 0906. Waiakea used codes like WB123275 and WB123276. When a recall happens, you need to match your specific code to the recalled batch – having the same brand isn’t enough. It’s a pain, but taking a minute to check those codes could save you from drinking contaminated water. Most people don’t even know where to find these codes on their bottles, but they’re usually printed near the bottom or on the label.
E. coli spreads fast and can be deadly
E. coli was discovered way back in 1885 by a German doctor, and it’s still causing problems today. The bacteria spreads through contaminated food and water, with contaminated water being the main culprit. When animal or human waste infected with E. coli gets into pools, lakes, or water supplies, anyone who drinks that water is at risk. The bacteria can also spread from person to person when someone who’s infected doesn’t wash their hands properly. That’s why outbreaks can grow so quickly – one contaminated source can infect dozens or even hundreds of people.
What makes E. coli particularly nasty is that it can survive in multiple environments, which makes it harder to detect early. Over the years, the bacteria has evolved into more dangerous strains. The symptoms include diarrhea, headaches, nausea, and cramps, and if you don’t get treated promptly, it can be fatal. Babies and elderly people with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable. The fact that E. coli was found in bottled spring water is particularly concerning because most people assume bottled water is safer than tap water. Studies show that E. coli contamination can spread rapidly and lead to serious outbreaks if not controlled quickly.
Coliforms might not make you sick but they’re still bad news
Coliforms are bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of animals and humans, and they show up in waste, plants, and soil. When they’re found in drinking water, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get sick – not all coliforms are dangerous. But their presence is like a warning light on your car dashboard. They indicate that the water might also contain more dangerous bacteria like E. coli. That’s why the FDA takes coliform contamination seriously even when the specific bacteria found aren’t harmful.
The New York State Department of Health explains that finding coliforms in water suggests that the water treatment process failed somewhere along the line. For bottled water, it means something went wrong at the source or during bottling. Even though Berkeley Club’s recall was classified as Class III, meaning it probably won’t make you sick, the fact that coliforms were there at all shows their quality control failed. It’s like finding a mouse in your house – even if that particular mouse doesn’t bite you, it means you’ve got a rodent problem that needs fixing.
Some recalled water was still being sold months later
Here’s something that should make you angry – Real Water was still being sold in stores months after its Class I recall was issued. This deadly water that caused liver failure was found at a wine store in Beverly Hills in late September, years after the 2021 recall. A website for South Carolina-based Caliber Grocers was even taking orders and delivering the water as recently as summer 2024. How does recalled water that put people in the hospital keep ending up on shelves? It shows a massive failure in the system that’s supposed to protect us.
The problem is that recalls rely on stores and distributors to actually pull products from shelves, and clearly some aren’t doing their job. Real Water’s parent company ceased operations after the recall and never met FDA standards to resume production. The company’s website address now redirects to a foreign gambling site. Yet somehow their product kept appearing in stores and online. This means you can’t just assume that if something’s being sold, it must be safe. You need to check recall lists yourself, especially for products you buy in bulk or keep stored for a long time.
The next time you reach for a bottle of water, it might be worth taking a quick look at that product code. Most bottled water recalls don’t result in serious illness, but as the Real Water case shows, some can cause real harm. The problem is you can’t tell just by looking whether your water is contaminated – bacteria don’t change the taste, smell, or appearance of water. Check the FDA’s recall list if you buy water in bulk or have bottles that have been sitting around for a while. And if you ever notice anything floating in your water or if it tastes off, don’t take chances.
