Multiple recalls of drinking water are currently in effect as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the risk level for a brand that recently tested positive for coliform bacteria. While coliforms are generally not associated with illness, their presence may indicate the potential for other harmful pathogens.
Last Friday, the FDA assigned a Class III risk classification to the recall of 1,034 bottles of water by Berkeley Club Beverages Inc., which was initially announced in September.
The FDA mistakenly reported that over 151,000 bottles were recalled; however, a spokesperson informed Newsweek that the agency is in the process of rectifying this error in its enforcement report.
A representative from Berkeley Club Beverages described the FDA’s initial figure as a “tremendous mistake,” noting that the majority of the bottles have been recovered, quarantined, and destroyed. No illnesses related to this recall have been reported.
A Class III classification is designated for situations where the use or exposure to a defective product is not expected to result in adverse health effects. This classification represents the least severe of the three risk levels for recalled products.
The recall from Berkeley Club Beverages is part of three other ongoing drinking water recalls.
![Fiji mineral water](https://suprapol.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/960-e1738495345101.webp)
Fiji Water
Fiji Water has also recalled over 78,500 cases of Fiji Natural Artesian Water (500 mL), identified by case code 6 32565 00004 3 and bottle code 6 32565 00001 2, following company testing that detected elevated levels of manganese and three types of bacteria.
According to a Fiji spokesperson, the identified bacteria are nonpathogenic and harmless. This recall was resolved promptly, and the product is once again available for purchase, although it has not yet been updated on the FDA’s recall list. The water was distributed across Washington and nationwide through online sales. The FDA classified this recall as Class III in late May.
Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water
In November 2023, over 3,800 cases of Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, which is naturally alkaline and contains electrolytes, were recalled due to customer reports of “floating particles” in the product.
These 1-liter bottles, identified by the codes WB123275 and WB123276, were distributed across several states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Colorado. The FDA did not specify the nature of the floating particles in its recall notice, which was classified as Class II in April.
![Waiakea mineral water](https://suprapol.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ddd-109-1024x713.webp)
Real Alkalized Water
In May 2021, a Class I recall was issued for Real Alkalized Water, the most severe category of FDA recalls, due to potential serious health risks or fatalities associated with the product. This recall affected various sizes of plastic bottles, including 16.9 oz., 1 Liter, 1.5 Liter, 1-Gallon, and 5-Gallon containers, following reports of acute liver failure linked to the consumption of Real Water.
A lawsuit claimed that the alkaline water contained the hazardous chemical hydrazine, which was implicated in liver failure, resulting in a $3 billion court ruling in June. Despite the recall, the affected water continued to be available for purchase at various locations, including a wine store in Beverly Hills, California, as of late September. During the summer, Newsweek successfully ordered the water online from Caliber Grocers, based in South Carolina.
![Alkalized mineral Water](https://suprapol.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/unnamed.webp)
Several lawsuits related to these allegations remain active years after Real Water voluntarily recalled all its products in 2021, following the disclosure of a nonviral hepatitis case in the Las Vegas area in November 2020. These allegations prompted investigations by both the FDA and the Department of Justice. The company suspended its operations after the recall and has yet to meet FDA compliance standards.
Source: .newsweek
No comment