Water recall due to microbial growth
A major recall of mineral water products has been initiated by Roxane GmbH, based in Jessen, Saxony-Anhalt, due to the detection of bacterial contamination in their brands "Gut & Günstig" and "Naturalis". The affected product varieties include the Medium, Classic, and Still varieties in various packaging sizes.
The recall, announced on Wednesday by the portal lebensmittelwarnung.de and the consumer organization Foodwatch, covers almost all of Germany, with the exception of the Saarland region. Prominent retailers such as Edeka, Marktkauf, and Netto Marken-Discount are among those affected.
The contaminated products pose potential health risks, leading to an immediate recall for preventive consumer protection. Foodwatch has raised concerns that the contamination problem may have existed for an extended period, given that many mineral water variants with different best-before dates are being recalled. They also draw attention to Roxane’s ownership by the Alma Group, which is currently on trial in France for illegally filtering contaminated mineral water.
In response to the detection of the contamination, the company and the affected retailers have acted swiftly by withdrawing the affected products from sale. Health authorities and federal consumer protection agencies in Germany are involved in publishing public notifications about the recall through platforms like lebensmittelwarnung.de.
Foodwatch is urging Roxane and German food authorities to make all information about the recall public, including measurement values from Roxane's wells in Germany. They also call for transparency regarding the extent and duration of the contamination issue.
Consumers are strongly advised to avoid consuming the affected products due to potential health impairments. This recall underscores the importance of ongoing consumer safety concerns and is under continuous monitoring by German food safety authorities.
The recall, initiated by Roxane GmbH, covers various health-and-wellness products like "Gut & Günstig" and "Naturalis" due to the presence of bacterial contamination in them. The immediate recall is aimed at ensuring consumer protection, as the contaminated products pose potential health risks.
