The supermarket chain Wegmans recalled some of its bottled water products on Saturday, June 20, due to the possibility of contamination with Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria. The recall was issued after Niagara Bottling recalled date codes for multiple brands of bottled spring water. Eighty-six Wegman stores spread across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia received the affected product.
Although there are no reports of consumers experiencing illnesses or exhibiting signs and symptoms of infection, Wegmans pursued the recall "out of an abundance of caution."
The specific products recalled are the 16.9-ounce plastic bottles of Wegmans store-brand Food You Feel Good About Spring Water, with a best-by date ranging from June 10, 2016 to June 18, 2016. The UPC of the recalled products are as follows:
Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz UPC 7789018860
Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 12-pack UPC 7789010085
Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 24-pack UPC 7789028768
Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 35-pack UPC 7789029365
Aside from these products that bear the UPC codes indicated, no other Wegmans bottled spring water are affected, confirmed the company on its website. Only the 12-pack bottles prepared by the Niagara Bottling, LLC were received in the affected stores in New York, Massachusetts, and Erie stores but stores in other states received all of the recalled products.
The bottled spring water was processed using continuous ozonation mechanisms, which is a guaranteed treatment for killing E.coli. Consumers who have purchased the said batch of contaminated bottled water may return the products at any Wegmans store and get a full refund. The Wegmans Consumer Affairs department are also available to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, via their toll-free hotline (855) 934-3663, should there be any questions and/ or concerns.
E.coli is part of the normal flora of the body; however, some strains may cause significant illness, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The signs and symptoms of E.coli infection include diarrhea, urinary tract infections and fever.
Photo: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) | Flickr
