By Xenom 
The Berkeley Club Beverages recall officially ended on November 13, 2024, when the FDA terminated its regulatory oversight of the bottled water safety incident that began in September.
What You Need to Know Immediately
If you purchased Berkeley Springs bottled water with batch codes 090326, 090426, 090526, or 090626, the FDA has officially declared the recall over, with most affected bottles already recovered and no illnesses reported.
The Berkeley Springs Water Recall: What Actually Happened
It all started September 12, 2024.
Berkeley Club Beverages voluntarily pulled specific batches of their purified and distilled water after testing detected Coliform bacteria.
These bacteria typically aren’t harmful themselves but serve as “indicator organisms” that signal potential issues with the bottling process.
The FDA maintains zero tolerance for Coliform in bottled water, as confirmed in their official enforcement report.
Just 5 days after classifying it as Class III on November 8, the FDA officially terminated the Berkeley Club Beverages recall on November 13.
This unusually quick resolution reveals much about how effectively the company handled the situation.
The 150× Correction Most Reports Missed
Here’s where this story takes an unexpected turn many news outlets overlooked.
When the recall first made headlines, reports claimed around 151,397 bottles needed removal.
The truth?
Only 1,304 bottles were actually affected.
That’s not a typo – the initial figure was over 150 times larger than reality!
A Berkeley Club representative described this massive discrepancy as a “tremendous mistake” in statements to media outlets.
The FDA’s official recall termination notice confirms the corrected figure of 1,304 bottles – fundamentally changing how we should understand this incident from a potentially widespread contamination to a limited, contained issue.
Why the FDA Terminated the Recall So Quickly
According to FDA regulations, “A recall will be terminated when FDA determines that all reasonable efforts have been made to remove or correct the product in accordance with the recall strategy, and when it is reasonable to assume that the product subject to the recall has been removed.”
Berkeley Club Beverages met these requirements by:
- Successfully tracking down most affected bottles
- Properly quarantining and destroying contaminated products
- Confirming zero illness reports linked to their water
The Class III designation means this was the FDA’s lowest risk category, indicating the product “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”
What Berkeley Springs Water Drinkers Should Know
If you’ve purchased Berkeley Springs water recently, here’s what matters:
- Only specific batch codes were affected: 090326, 090426, 090526, 090626
- Distribution limited to three states: West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia
- Company recovered most affected bottles
- Zero reported illnesses
- FDA considers the issue fully resolved
The rapid termination demonstrates regulatory confidence in the company’s handling of the situation.
Understanding Coliform in Bottled Water
Why does the FDA have zero tolerance for coliform bacteria in bottled water?
Coliforms are naturally occurring bacteria found in soil and water. While most strains aren’t harmful, their presence indicates a potential pathway for contamination that might allow more dangerous pathogens to enter the water supply.
According to FDA guidance, bottled water producers must conduct follow-up testing whenever coliform is detected to check for harmful strains like E. coli.
In this case, no harmful bacteria were found, which explains the low-risk Class III designation and swift recall resolution.
Berkeley Club Beverages: A Century of Mountain Spring Water
Few people know this family business’s rich history.
Established in 1934 in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, they’ve been bottling natural spring water for 90 years from one of America’s oldest spa locations.
Their source? The famous springs at Berkeley Springs State Park – an artesian source flowing at over 1,000 gallons per minute with a natural 7.8 pH.
Their products have earned recognition at international water tasting competitions between 2009-2014, winning multiple bronze medals and a gold medal.
They primarily serve customers across:
- West Virginia
- Maryland
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- Washington DC
Based on available records, this appears to be their first safety recall in their long history of operation.
How This Compares to Other Recent Water Safety Issues
In perspective, this incident was minor compared to other recent bottled water recalls:
Fiji Water (2024)
- Scale: 78,500+ cases versus Berkeley’s 1,304 bottles
- Reach: Nationwide versus Berkeley’s three-state distribution
- Issue: Different contaminants (manganese and bacteria)
- Resolution: Also Class III but took significantly longer to resolve
Waiakea Hawaiian Water (2023)
- Risk Level: Class II (medium risk) versus Berkeley’s Class III (low risk)
- Contaminants: Mold and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Health Impact: Greater potential for illness
Real Alkalized Water (2021)
- Severity: Class I (highest risk level) versus Berkeley’s Class III
- Health Impact: Linked to actual liver failure cases
- Business Impact: Company shutdown versus Berkeley’s quick correction
What To Do If You’re Concerned About Water Safety
If you’re concerned about bottled water safety, consider researching different water filtration options that can provide an extra layer of protection for your family.
- Also Read: Indiana Buffer Zone Law Injunction.
Berkeley Springs Water FAQ
Did anyone get sick from drinking the recalled Berkeley water?
No illness cases were reported in connection with this recall.
How can I tell if my Berkeley Springs water was recalled?
Check your bottle for these batch codes: 090326, 090426, 090526, or 090626. If you don’t see these exact numbers, your water wasn’t affected.
What exactly is Coliform bacteria and should I worry?
Coliform bacteria naturally exist in soil and surface water. Most strains pose no health threat, but finding them in bottled water indicates a potential breach in the purification process that requires immediate correction.
What does the FDA’s Class III rating mean?
It’s the lowest risk category, indicating regulators believe the product is unlikely to cause health problems even if consumed.
Are bottled water recalls common?
Several happen yearly, but most receive lower risk classifications (Class II or III) and resolve quickly without reported illnesses.
Can I safely buy Berkeley Club water products now?
Yes. The recall ended completely, affected only specific batches from September 2024, and the company has resumed normal operations.
The Bottom Line on Bottled Water Safety
This case shows how even minor issues trigger serious regulatory attention.
FDA standards for bottled water remain incredibly strict, with zero tolerance for indicator bacteria like coliform.
What’s reassuring here is seeing the system work properly from start to finish.
The voluntary company action, accurate risk classification, and efficient termination of the Berkeley Club Beverages recall demonstrates how industry and government cooperation maintains water safety standards even when problems arise.