Approximately 1.9 million bottles of Fiji Water were recalled across the United States following tests that detected a mineral and three unspecified bacterial types, as per a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement. Natural Waters of Viti Limited, responsible for the recall, indicated that about 1.88 million bottles, or 78,533 cases, were affected. Despite the recall, issued on May 23, the FDA classified this as a Class III recall, suggesting that using or being exposed to the product is unlikely to lead to adverse health effects.
The company asserted on social media that the recalled Fiji Water, sold through Amazon.com, remains safe to consume. This followed an alert from Amazon which the company claims did not accurately represent the situation. Fiji Water reassured that there is no health or safety risk associated with the manganese or bacteria found in the tested lots.
The company also emphasized its commitment to safety and quality, stating that 99% of the affected bottles had been reclaimed, with the remaining stock held in warehouses awaiting return. Regular testing is conducted to maintain the expected taste and quality of Fiji Water.
The recalled product includes cases of 24 bottles each, identifiable by specific UPC codes on the cases and bottles and production dates ranging from November 11 to November 25, 2023. These were sold from February 1 to March 3, 2024.
Manganese, the detected mineral, is naturally occurring and essential for several bodily functions but can pose health risks if overexposed, such as neurological issues, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nonetheless, manganese is vital for many enzymatic functions and overall health, supporting processes like metabolism, bone formation, and immune response.
