A major bottled water recall was recently issued on almost 2 million Fiji Water bottles. This is after tests found that the water had manganese and three kinds of bacteria. Natural Waters of Viti Limited first issued the recall in March 2024.
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Details of the Fiji Bottled Water Recall
Following customer complaints about discolouration in Fiji bottles, the water was found to contain manganese and three types of bacteria. The recall involved around 79,000 cases of 500 mL (24-pack) Fiji Natural Artesian Water bottles. The recall was first initiated by the company on March 4, 2024. The contaminated waters were produced in November 2023 and sold on Amazon.com between February 1 and March 3, 2024.
The affected cases carried the following information:
- A UPC code 6 32565 00004 3, with individual bottles marked 6 32565 00001 2
- Production dates of November 11, 12, 13, 24, or 25, 2023 printed on the case and etched on the back of each bottle
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorised the recall as a Class III. A Class III recall means the product is unlikely to cause health problems. This is different from a Class I recall, which means the product can cause serious health issues or death.
Recall of 500 mL (24-pack) Fiji Natural Artesian Water bottles on Amazon.com
Health Implications of Manganese and Bacteria
The presence of manganese and bacteria in drinking water can cause illness. High levels of manganese in the body can impact the nervous system, causing behavioural changes. The CDC notes that long-term exposure to elevated manganese can also affect memory, attention, and motor skills, and may interfere with brain development in children. Excessive manganese exposure has also been linked to male fertility issues. How much manganese was found in the recalled water bottles is unclear. Certain bacteria in water can cause potentially life-threatening diseases, like cholera. The dangers of contamination make bacteria testing in water extremely important.
The exact types of bacteria found in the Fiji water have not been shared, so it’s hard to know the exact risk. However, the quick recall by the company and the FDA’s classification suggest the risk is low. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive water testing for food and beverage companies to avoid these incidences.
Separately, Fiji Water’s parent company also faced a consumer lawsuit in January 2024 over unrelated microplastics claims, underscoring how closely bottled water quality is being scrutinised.
How Did The Company Respond?
Fiji Water acted quickly to address the issue. They have already reclaimed 99% of the affected bottles, and the rest are waiting to be returned from warehouses. However, the bottled water recall was initiated in March 2024, and the company did not issue a press release when the recall began so as not to cause “unnecessary public concern“. Fiji Water claims that the “notice sent by Amazon does not accurately reflect the issue and was overstated.” Finally, the company states that “there is no health or safety risk posed” from the recalled bottled water.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Contaminated Bottled Water?
The Fiji Water recall shows how quickly things can go wrong when contamination issues arise, even for a well-established and widely trusted brand. In the food and drink industry, a single failure in water quality, filtration, or monitoring can lead to recalls, halted production, financial losses, and lasting damage to a brand’s reputation.
Southern Scientific is working with Irish companies to move from reactive crisis management to proactive protection.Water testing is an effective and practical way to reduce risk. We successfully test over 10,000 drinking water samples every year, searching for impurities in your water, from bacteria, nitrates and chemicals to heavy metals and industrial pollutants. Regular testing helps detect problems early, protect product quality, and avoid costly disruptions.
Southern Scientific provides expert drinking water testing tailored to your specific needs, from contaminant analysis to regulatory compliance. Our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories and rigorous quality controls ensure accurate, reliable results you can trust.
To learn more about water contamination and how we can support your business, explore our resources here.
