Water Bottles Recalled After Possible E. Coli Contamination

Consumers could be facing some risks when they take a drink from a cold bottle of water this summer, as the Niagara Bottling Company has issued a recall of some of its products upon discovering a spring it uses as a source of water was contaminated with E. coli.

The products were widely distributed to large supermarket chains across the northeast region of the United States. The company avoided initial media inquiries, but several supermarkets —  including ACME Markets, Shaw’s and Wegmans — issued news releases addressing the recall. The products were recalled at Wegmans stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts. The water is sold under many brand names, and is also distributed through convenience stores like 7-Eleven.

The contamination in the water supply was first apparent June 10. The company claims that the spring source did not give it timely notice of the contamination, and it has since ceased using the source. All products produced at its Hamburg and Allentown, Pennsylvania facilities from 3 a.m. June 10 to 8 p.m. June 18 have been recalled.

A dangerous contamination

E. coli bacteria may cause a range of issues, including cramping, nausea, diarrhea and headaches. Although the Niagara Bottling Company has stated that it has not received any complaints of injuries or illnesses, representatives have asked consumers to avoid drinking the potentially contaminated water without first boiling it for at least one minute.

Although all food poisoning cases are different, most of them fall under the area of product liability, as they share similarities with cases where people are injured from defective products. When a dangerous product injures an individual, that person may choose to take legal action through a personal injury claim.

If you’ve suffered ill effects from a product that was later recalled, speak with an experienced New York product liability lawyer at [ln::firm_name] right away.