Bacteria Get Bad Rap In Bottled Water Recall

By Carla Napier and Jennifer McEntire

Finding E. coli in bottled water has made a big news splash. We’ve heard of E. coli in ground beef, spinach, and the related fatalities. Now bottled water? Is this dangerous? No! Actually, the most recent bottled water recall really isn’t so much about the product’s actual safety.

People drink water, particularly bottled water, on a consistent basis because our bodies need it. When we think of water, we think of hydration and purity. But, do we think of safety? No, and we shouldn’t have to think about safety because our regulatory framework requires that bottled drinking water be analyzed for microbial and chemical contaminants. Bottled water is safe. Even in the case of the latest recall from Niagara Bottling LLC, safety was not in question. But how could a product containing E. coli be safe?

Albeit confusing, this is not the same E. coli found in spinach and ground beef that can cause illness. E. coli is everywhere, even inside of people. It’s usually a normal bacteria that lives in our gut. So, to learn that it was present at the source of spring water should not be alarming, although that made it undesirable and inappropriate for use as bottled water. What is more important is the final product.

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