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Niagara bottled “spring” water recalled due to E. Coli

The Department of Health is on alert with the Niagara Bottling, which issued a voluntary recall due to concerns that one of its spring sources is contaminated with E. coli, says Acting Director of Health Fara Utu, responding to Samoa News queries. In a statement issued by Niagara Bottling on June 19, 2015, they point out that E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply on June 10, 2015.

 

Samoa News should point out that the recall is for the company’s bottled ‘spring’ water — not ‘purified’ water.

 

This bacteria can make you sick, and is a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems, the company’s recall notice says. “Out of an abundance of caution and in the strict interest of public safety, Niagara Bottling, LLC is issuing a voluntary recall for all spring water products produced at both the Hamburg, PA and Allentown, PA facilities from the time frame of 3am (EDT) June 10 to 8pm (EDT) June 18, 2015.”

 

The products were sold under the following brand names:

 

Acadia; Acme; Big Y; Best Yet; 7-11; Niagara; Nature’s Place; Pricerite; Superchill; Morning Fresh; Shaws; Shoprite; Western Beef Blue and Wegman’s.

 

According to the Niagara Bottling notice, the affected water must be boiled first before drinking or using, and advises “or use other bottled water.” It further notes to “bring all affected water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.”

 

Niagara Bottling explains that “E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in this waste can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, and other symptoms.

 

“They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.”

 

"People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers,” the notice states, adding that one of Niagara’s spring sources had a positive indication of E. coli, although they have not received any complaints of injury or illness of any kind.

 

“As the spring source did not notify us in a timely manner, we have discontinued the use of this source, the company said.

 

In order to determine if the product is affected, “please reference the following information on the code, which can be found on the bottle. The code will indicate the place, date and time that the product was produced. The only affected products have codes that begin with the letter F (for Hamburg) or A (for Allentown).

 

The first digit after the letter indicates the number of the production line. The next two numbers indicate the day, then the month in letters, the year, and then the time, based on a 24-hour clock.”

 

Example: A610JUN15 2000 (Allentown line 6, manufactured on June 10, 2015 at 8pm). Products made between June 10 at 3 am (EDT) and June 18 at 8 pm (EDT) should not be used. According to the  LLC Consumer Service, this recall only relates to spring water produced in their Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities from June 10-18, 2015. 

 

“It does not relate to any purified water or any spring water produced outside of Pennsylvania or outside the June 10-18, 2015 timeframe,” the notice says.

 

Acting Director Utu told Samoa News that she’s meeting with her enforcement team led by Papali’i Marion Fitisemanu on this matter.

 

Samoa News notes Niagara bottled ‘purified’ water is sold locally — but whether or not Niagara bottled “spring” water is sold on island is unknown at this time.