Is Your Bottled Water Contaminated?

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

bottled water recallEarlier this month, traces of E. coli were found at one of the water sources for the bottled water company Niagara Bottled LLC. The company has issued a voluntary recall for their spring bottled water produced at two plants in Pennsylvania due to the potential threat of E. coli contamination.The affected products have a specific reference code that start with the letter “F” or the letter “A,” with produced dates listed anywhere between June 10 to June 18.The following are the products that have been recalled:

Acme Big Y Niagara
Acadia Western Beef Blue Pricerite
11-Jul Best Yet Natures Place
Morning Fresh Superchill Shoprite

Customers who have already purchased the product are urged not to consume it. If you have already drunk the water, it’s recommended you consult your doctor immediately.

This leads me to the question—how safe is our bottled water from E.coli contamination?

What Is E. coli?

E. coli is a bacterium commonly found inside the intestines of animals and people. It is generally not considered dangerous; however, E. coli O157:H7, a pathogenic bacterium, can lead to serious cramps in the abdominal area, bloody diarrhea, and extreme vomiting.

Possible ways to be exposed to E. coli include contamination to water and food. It takes about one week for adults to fully recover from E. coli O157:H7.

Symptoms of E. coli Infection

E. Coli SymptomsYou will generally begin to see symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 after three to four days of being exposed—but you could become sick within a day after being exposed. The most common signs and symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea: Depending on the severity of the infection, it can be watery diarrhea for a mild infection and bloody diarrhea for more severe infections.
  • Abdominal pain and cramping will follow diarrhea; you may also experience tenderness in the abdominal area.
  • Vomiting and nausea can occur, but it depends on certain people and how their bodies react to the infection.

Other Foods Infected with E. coli

Aside from water, the following foods are prone to E. coli contamination:e. coli infected foods

  • Ground beef: When beef is produced, cattle is slaughtered and processed at a rapid pace; the E. coli found in their intestines can find its way into the meat. Because ground beef is made with different types of animal meat, the risk of E. coli contamination is high.
  • Unpasteurized milk: The E. coli bacteria on a cow’s udder or even on the equipment used to milk the cow can find its way into the raw milk.
  • Fresh produce: One of the most dangerous ways for foods to be contaminated is runoff from the cattle that contaminate the entire fields where fresh produce is grown. Watch out for spinach and lettuce, which are typically the most prone to contamination.

Is E. coli Curable?

There are no current cures for E. coli; however, you can treat and reduce the symptoms associated with it:e.coli natural treatment

1. Drink clear liquids: Consuming plenty of clear liquids, including water, juices, and broths will help reduce the pain and flush out the bad bacteria. Avoid certain liquids such as apple juice, caffeine, and alcohol.

2. Gradually eat food: Once your stomach is settled enough to handle food, gradually eat foods that are lower in fiber.

3. Avoid certain foods: During the infection, and once the symptoms decrease, avoid all dairy products, fatty foods, and foods that are high in fiber, as they can make the symptoms worsen.

4. Rest: If you have been contaminated with E. coli, your body will need significant rest in order to properly fight off the infection.

It brings me back to my original question—do we have to worry about our bottled water being contaminated? There should never be a contamination incident when it comes to the substances that we consume, but it’s safe to relax.

The recall was limited and only affected two facilities. Although officials at Niagara Bottled LLC claimed that the E. coli bacterium was detected in water spring, it wasn’t found in the water at the bottling plant. Whether bottled or tap, aim to drink eight glasses of water each day.

Sources:
Rhodan, M., “Bottled Water Company Issues Recall Over Possible E. Coli Contamination,” Time web site, June 23, 2015, http://time.com/3931649/niagara-bottled-water-e-coli/.
“E. coli: Treatments and drugs,” Mayo Clinic web site, August 1, 2014, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/e-coli/basics/treatment/con-20032105.
“E. Coli Infection From Food or Water,” WebMD web site, May 29, 2012, http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/e-coli-infection-topic-overview.