5 Critical Facts About The Berkeley Springs Water Recall That Was Terminated In November 2024

The Berkeley Springs bottled water recall was officially terminated in November 2024, closing the book on a major voluntary action that affected over 150,000 bottles of drinking water across multiple states. This event, classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class III recall, was initiated by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. after routine internal quality control testing detected the presence of coliform bacteria in several production batches. For consumers who purchased the affected 1-gallon and 5-gallon products, the most important update, as of today, December 12, 2025, is that the issue has been resolved, and new production lots are now passing enhanced quality checks.

The incident drew significant attention due to the historical significance of the Berkeley Springs brand, which hails from the town famously known as the "Country's First Spa" in West Virginia. While the presence of coliform bacteria itself is not immediately dangerous, it serves as a critical indicator that disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, could potentially be in the water, necessitating the swift and large-scale recall to protect public health. This detailed report breaks down the facts of the recall, the contamination risk, and the steps the company took to restore consumer confidence.

Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. and The Historic Brand

The company at the center of the recall is Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc., a bottling operation located in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The town itself has a deep and historic connection to its natural water source.

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• Location: Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
• Products Recalled: Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled.
• Historical Context: The warm mineral springs of Berkeley Springs have been renowned for their curative properties since the 1700s, with historical figures like George Washington being regular patrons. The area has been a settlement since the 1750s, formally established as a town in 1776, all thanks to its healing waters.
• Recall Initiator: The recall was initiated voluntarily by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc.
• Quality Assurance Personnel: The company employs dedicated staff, such as Dolly McCumbee in Quality Control, demonstrating their commitment to product safety, despite the temporary lapse.

The brand’s deep roots in the history of West Virginia's mineral waters make the contamination event particularly noteworthy, as the town's reputation is built entirely on the quality and purity of its source.

The Bacterial Contamination and FDA Class III Classification

The core issue of the recall was the detection of coliform bacteria, which led to the FDA classifying it as a Class III recall. Understanding this classification is key to assessing the actual health risk posed to consumers.

What is Coliform Bacteria?

Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms commonly used as an indicator of water quality. While coliforms themselves are generally not harmful, their presence suggests that the water treatment or bottling process failed and that the water may have been contaminated by disease-causing organisms, known as pathogens.

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• The Indicator: Coliforms are a standard indicator of potential fecal contamination.
• The Risk: The primary concern is that if coliforms are present, fecal pathogens like *E. Coli* could also be present, increasing the risk of contracting a water-borne illness.
• Detection: The contamination was initially detected through the company's routine internal quality control testing, which is a sign that their safety protocols, while failing in this instance, were functional enough to catch the problem.

Details of the Class III Recall

The FDA classifies recalls into three types based on the severity of the health hazard. The Berkeley Springs water recall was designated as a Class III recall.

• Definition: An FDA Class III recall is defined as a situation where the use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
• Health Risk Assessment: This classification means the FDA determined the health risk to be low, despite the presence of coliform bacteria.
• Scope of Recall: The recall involved a massive quantity of product—151,397 bottles of Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled.
• Affected Products and Sizes: The recall specifically targeted 1-gallon and 5-gallon bottles.

The Resolution and Current Safety Status

The swift action taken by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. and the subsequent FDA oversight led to a quick resolution of the matter, providing a crucial update for consumers who may still be concerned about the brand.

Termination of the Recall

The official recall was classified by the FDA on November 8, 2024, and was officially terminated just five days later, on November 13, 2024. This rapid termination indicates that the company quickly addressed the root cause of the contamination and corrected the issue.

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Steps Taken by Berkeley Club Beverages

To resolve the issue and prevent future occurrences, the company implemented several critical changes to its production and quality assurance processes.

• Quality Assurance Upgrades: The company implemented batch testing and quality assurance upgrades to their systems.
• New Sanitation Standards: New sanitation standards were put in place to ensure a clean bottling environment, addressing the likely cause of the coliform contamination.
• Enhanced Quality Checks: All new production lots of Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled have undergone enhanced quality checks to ensure they meet the World Health Organization (WHO) and FDA standards for potable water, which require zero coliform bacteria.

If you still possess an old bottle of Berkeley Springs Water, it is important to check the batch codes to see if it was part of the recalled lot. Any affected product should be immediately discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

The successful and rapid termination of the Class III recall demonstrates the effectiveness of the regulatory process and the company’s commitment to safety. Consumers can be assured that the Berkeley Springs bottled water currently on shelves comes from new production lots that have been rigorously tested and cleared for sale.