FDA Announces Recall of 1.9 Million Fiji Water Bottles Due to Bacteria

If you like to keep a supply of bottled water in the house, you may want to check your stash. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a recall of 78,533 cases (approximately 1.9 million bottles) of Fiji Natural Artesian Water on May 23, and categorized this recall as a Class III. This means use of, or exposure to, the recalled product “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” Still, consumers should be informed.

According to the FDA, this voluntary recall was actually initiated on March 4 of this year by Natural Waters of Viti Limited—the makers of Fiji Water—due to testing that found manganese and three other bacteria in some water samples. The additional bacteria was not specified. The recalled water was sold in Washington and online via Amazon.com between Feb. 1, 2024, and March 3, 2024. Find more information on the recalled Fiji Water below:

Fiji Natural Artesian Water 500 mL (24 pack)
Case UPC Code: 6 32565 00004 3
Bottle UPC Code: 6 32565 00001 2
Dates: Nov. 11, 2023, Nov. 12, 2023, Nov. 13, 2023, Nov. 24, 2023, Nov. 25, 2023

While the recall is still ongoing, Fiji Water has assured customers there is no health risk associated with the recalled items. “The FDA classification announced yesterday relates to a matter from several months ago that never posed any health or safety risk,” a spokesperson for the brand said in a statement. “It affected products that were sold through only one distributor, and 99% of all those affected bottles were reclaimed, with the remainder in warehouses to be returned.” 

Additionally, the spokesperson noted that all Fiji products are safe, explaining: “There is no higher priority to us than the safety and quality of Fiji Water. There is no health or safety risk posed from manganese or bacteria in the recalled lots of Fiji Water. Moreover, Fiji Water conducts regular testing to ensure consumers enjoy the soft, smooth taste of FIJI Water that they expect and love.”

According to Harvard Public Health, “Manganese is a mineral necessary for human health but dangerous in large quantities.” Still, in order to be harmful, manganese must be ingested in large quantities over a sustained period of time. Per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Studies have not shown any harm from the manganese in food and beverages, but some people have developed manganese toxicity by consuming water containing very high levels.”

Consumers with questions about this recall should contact Fiji Water at 888-426-4602.