Alert on contaminated bottled water

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (July 17) advised the public not to drink certain batches of bottled water as they might be contaminated with E. coli.

The affected product is "Pure Spring Natural Still Water", sold in 500ml, 1-litre, 2-litre, 5-litre retail size bottles and 19-litre water-cooler bottles, with a "best before" date of "December 2008" and"December 2009".

"We also appeal to the trade to stop selling that particular product," a CFS spokesman said.

According to the Irish authorities, the presence of E. coli in the bottled water indicated faecal contamination of the supply water used for the product. The concerned company, Pure Spring, Lisnalong, Ballybay, County Monaghan, is recalling the affected product.

"The CFS has contacted the Irish authorities for more information. We have alerted the trade and are closely monitoring the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, July 17, 2008