A LIMERICK soft drinks company has criticised the health authorities for lack of communication on guidelines following the detection of coliform bacteria in six batches of bottled water.
Shannon Minerals, based at Upper Clare Street in the city, voluntarily withdrew the products from the shelves of three major supermarkets following the detection of the bacteria.
The company was notified of the presence of the bacteria on November 27th last by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
Traces of coliform contamination were discovered in six batches of bottled water supplied to Lidl, Aldi and Superquinn.
The company was informed by the FSAI after scientists detected bacteria above the acceptable limits.
In a statement issued yesterday, Shannon Minerals said it was never informed of any new guidelines and was working within the criteria set down by the environmental health officer in 2007.
Brendan O’Meara, the managing director of the firm, yesterday described the issue as “regulatory” and said it posed no health threat to customers.
“We felt it would be in the interest of everybody for clarity that we take those products back from their warehouses.
“Some product was sold to consumers but I want to stress that whoever bought these, there is absolutely no question of having an impact on that person’s health,” he said.
The Food Safety Authority said that while there was no real risk to the public, it was advising a trade withdrawal of the affected water for stock dating back two weeks.