Berkeley Club Beverages Recall Terminated: What Happened, Why It Matters, And What You Should Know

Quick Facts at a Glance

Here’s a snapshot of the key info about the Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. recall terminated involving their bottled-water brand.

• Products involved: Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled (1-gallon & 5-gallon bottles) (People.com)
• Batch codes: 090326, 090426, 090526, 090626 (Food & Wine)
• Recall initiated: September 12, 2024 (voluntary) (Allrecipes)
• FDA classification: Class III on November 8, 2024 (Newsweek)
• Recall terminated: November 13, 2024 (Newsweek)
• Approximate number of bottles: Initially ~151,397.75 reported, though later estimates indicate ~1,304 bottles. (Allrecipes)
• States impacted: West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia (People.com)
• Illnesses reported: None confirmed so far. (Newsweek)

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Why the Recall Happened

The recall of Berkeley Springs Water was triggered because of concerns about bacterial contamination. Specifically:

• Some bottles tested positive for coliform bacteria. These organisms don’t necessarily cause illness themselves, but they serve as indicators that the water’s sanitation or packaging process may have been compromised. (Food & Wine)
• According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coliforms in drinking water raise concern because they may suggest the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) or others. (People.com)
• The company wisely issued a voluntary recall. Even though no illnesses were initially confirmed, regulatory standards require action when water fails a microbial test. That helps prevent public-health risk.
• In short: the recall wasn’t triggered by a confirmed outbreak of illness, but by test-results that raised enough red flags to warrant removal of affected batches.

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Products Affected & How to Identify Them

If you’re a consumer who purchased these products, it’s important you know exactly which bottles were involved.

Product	Sizes	Batch Codes	Label Info
Berkeley Springs Water Purified	1-gallon and 5-gallon plastic bottles	090326, 090426, 090526, 090626	Look for “Purified” and the Berkeley Springs branding
Berkeley Springs Water Distilled	1-gallon and 5-gallon plastic bottles	Same codes as above	Label says “Distilled” under Berkeley Springs brand

Key checklist for identification:

• Bottle size: Either 1-gallon or 5-gallon.
• Location of purchase: Primarily West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia.
• Batch code: Confirm the four codes listed. If your bottle doesn’t match the codes, it wasn’t part of the recall (based on current records).
• Label clarity: This is water, not soda or juice, so you expect “Water Purified” or “Water Distilled” not “juice” or “soda”.

If you have a bottle matching one of those codes, you should treat it as part of the recall. If you’re unsure, contact the manufacturer or your retailer with the batch information.

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Timeline: From Start to Termination

Here is how the recall progressed — from detection to termination.

Date	Event
Sep 12, 2024	Berkeley Club Beverages initiates voluntary recall after internal testing detected coliforms. (Top Class Actions)
Late Sep – Oct 2024	Distribution channels and retailers begin removing affected bottles; public advisories issued.
Nov 8, 2024	FDA classifies the recall as Class III (least severe) indicating low likelihood of adverse health consequences. (Newsweek)
Nov 13, 2024	FDA issues termination notice for the recall — meaning the agency considers its remediation and removal work complete. (Newsweek)

Total roughly ~2 months from start to finish. That’s a relatively swift resolution compared to some recalls.

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What Does “Recall Terminated” Actually Mean?

“Recall terminated” might sound like a happy ending — and in many ways it is — but it’s worth understanding what that term means in regulatory and consumer context.

• According to the FDA, termination means they determined “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 and proper disposition or correction has been made commensurate with the degree of hazard.” (Newsweek)
• In plain English:
  • Affected bottles are no longer being sold or distributed (they’ve been pulled or destroyed)
  • The manufacturer has corrected the process or taken action such that further batches are considered safe
  • The regulatory oversight is satisfied for now — they won’t actively monitor this recall any more.
• For consumers: While termination means you’re unlikely to face ongoing risk from the recalled batches, it doesn’t erase the fact that the recall happened. If you still have a bottle with a recalled code, you should treat it as affected and not assume it’s safe simply because termination is declared.
• In this specific case of the Berkeley Club Beverages recall, the termination signalled that the manufacturer cooperated fully and the FDA considered the risk mitigated.

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Was Berkeley Club Water Ever Unsafe?

This is a question on many people’s minds: “Did someone get sick?” or “Was it actually dangerous?”

Key points:

• No confirmed illnesses or hospitalizations have been publicly reported that are tied to the recall. (Newsweek)
• But, presence of coliform bacteria is an indicator of potential contamination — meaning that while the water may not have been proven unsafe, the circumstances triggered legitimate concern.
• The fact that the recall was classified as Class III suggests regulatory judgment that “use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” (Food & Wine)
• For most healthy adults the risk was low. But for vulnerable groups (young children, elderly, immunocompromised) even small risks can matter.
• So, while the risk was low and no illnesses have been confirmed, the prudent move was to recall and remove the affected bottles. That’s exactly what happened.

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Clarifying the Product: Water, Soda, or Juice?

Let’s clear up any confusion: the recall involves bottled still water — not soda, juice, or flavored beverage.

• The products are labelled “Water Purified” or “Water Distilled”.
• They come in 1-gallon or 5-gallon plastic containers.
• Distribution via typical water-cooler or office-water channels (especially 5-gallon size) as well as retail.
• No mention of carbonation, flavoring, or other beverage types in the recall notices.
• Understanding that helps avoid conflating this recall with other unrelated beverage issues (for example juice or soda recalls).
• So if you bought a soda, flavored water, or juice from the same brand (if they make other lines), those were not covered by this recall — based on current public data.

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Who Ordered the Recall & How Long It Lasted

• The recall was voluntary, initiated by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. (manufacturer and distributor). (Top Class Actions)
• The regulatory oversight was provided by the FDA via its recall/withdrawal system.
• Duration: From September 12, 2024 initiation to November 13, 2024 termination — about 2 months.
• For a water product recall, that’s relatively fast. Many larger recalls (especially multi-state or national) can extend for half a year or more.
• The swift resolution reflects rapid action by the company and cooperation with regulatory authorities.

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Where the Products Were Sold

Knowing the distribution footprint matters for assessing whether you might have been affected.

• States listed: West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia. (Food & Wine)
• Sales channels:
  • Retail grocery stores / supermarkets in those states
  • Office water service suppliers and vending/distribution (for the 5-gallon size)
  • Possibly smaller retail shops or convenience stores.
• If you’re outside those geographies and you bought the product, chances are you weren’t affected — but always check the batch code and contact the supplier if unsure.
• For residents within those states who bought from retailers during the timeframe, a quick check is advisable.

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How Berkeley Club Fixed the Problem

When a recall is terminated, it implies remediation work is complete. Here’s how Berkeley Club Beverages handled the issue:

• The company isolated and quarantined the affected batches (codes listed) to remove them from the supply chain.
• They cooperated with the FDA to verify removal and corrective action.
• They likely conducted enhanced sanitation, testing, and quality assurance (QA) measures to ensure future batches meet standards.
• The public termination notice indicates the FDA judged that “proper disposition or correction has been made commensurate with the degree of hazard.” (Newsweek)
• While the public may not have full internal QA reports, the legal/regulatory outcome confirms the corrective work was sufficient.
• For consumers and retailers, this means new product batches (post-recall) are considered safe under normal trust protocols.

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The Role of the FDA & Regulators

The recall offers a real-world example of how food and beverage safety oversight works in practice.

• The FDA maintains the Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts system to track and classify recalls.
• It sets definitions like the “Class I/II/III” system:
  • Class I: Danger of serious adverse health consequences or death
  • Class II: Possible temporary or reversible health consequences
  • Class III: Use/exposure not likely to cause adverse health consequences (Newsweek)
• In this case the recall was classified Class III — meaning lower risk—but still required action.
• The regulatory process included:
  1. Detection of issue (company QA/test results)
  2. Company voluntarily initiates recall
  3. FDA monitors and classifies the recall
  4. Manufacturers remove/destroy affected product
  5. Company submits corrective action report
  6. FDA terminates recall when satisfied with remediation
• This traceability and oversight help reinforce consumer confidence in the system.

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Public Health Impact & Verified Harm

What happened from a health-impact perspective?

• Illnesses reported: None publicly confirmed in connection with this recall. (Newsweek)
• Hospitalizations or death: None reported.
• Underlying risk: While coliforms themselves don’t always cause illness, they may signal microbial pathway failures that could allow more dangerous pathogens. (People.com)
• Because of the timely recall and remediation, the potential hazard was mitigated before an outbreak occurred.
• For public health professionals, this case speaks to the value of preventive recalls (acting before confirmed illness) rather than reactive ones.

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Are Other Products Affected?

If you’re loyal to the brand or use other Berkeley Club Beverages products, you’re probably asking: “Is anything else included?”

• Public notices list only the two specific products (Purified & Distilled) and the listed batch codes. (People.com)
• There’s no publicly disclosed recall of juices, sodas, or other beverage lines by the company tied to this event (based on available sources).
• That said: if you use other products from the same manufacturer, it’s wise to contact the company or retailer to confirm.
• Always cross-check batch codes, manufacturing dates, and label info when in doubt.

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Is It Safe to Drink Again?

Short answer: yes — but with caveats.
Here’s how to interpret “safe” in the context of this recall:

• If you have a bottle that matches one of the batch codes (090326, 090426, 090526, 090626) — do not drink it. Treat it as part of the recall.
• If your bottle does not match those codes and was purchased after the recall period (or was never part of the affected distribution), then it is considered safe under current regulatory status.
• The termination of the recall by the FDA means: the FDA verified that the company removed/handled the unsafe batches, corrected processes, and deemed further risk managed.
• However: If you are immunocompromised or concerned about bottled water safety, you might still choose to discard the bottle or contact the manufacturer for reassurance.
• Always check with the retailer or manufacturer if you are unsure.

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What Consumers Should Do Next

Here’s your action checklist if you purchased these products or want to stay ahead of future recalls:

• Check your bottles: Inspect the label for size, brand (“Berkeley Springs Water Purified” / “Distilled”), and batch codes.
• Dispose or return: If the batch matches one of the affected codes, do not consume. Contact the retailer or manufacturer about return/refund.
• Keep receipt/photo of label: If you might seek refund, document the code and label.
• Report illness: If you become unwell and suspect the product, report it to your local health department and the FDA’s MedWatch system.
• Register for recall alerts: See the next section for tools.
• Ask your bottled-water supplier: If your water comes via office water delivery, ask for a letter or documentation verifying the batch is safe (especially for large 5-gallon bottles).
• Stay cautious with other products: While this recall was limited, use it as a reminder to check any new beverage purchases for safety and recall status.

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Staying Informed: Recall-Tracking Tools

Being proactive helps. Here are trusted tools and tips to keep you updated:

• FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts: The official database where you can search by product, company, date.
• Email / RSS alerts: Many websites (including FDA) allow you to subscribe to recall notifications.
• Retailer apps / websites: Some supermarket chains, beverage suppliers, or water-delivery companies provide updates or push notifications when a recall affects their products.
• Consumer-advocacy sites: Websites such as Top Class Actions and others list recall summaries and actions. (Top Class Actions)
• Set Google Alerts: Use keywords like “Berkeley Club Beverages recall” or “bottled water recall terminations” to catch early warnings.
• Check batch codes at home: Keep a photo of your water bottle’s label/batch code to cross-reference when a recall is announced.

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Food Safety Concepts Behind the Recall

It helps to understand some of the science and regulation behind a bottled-water recall.

• Coliform bacteria: These are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria found in soil, water, vegetation, and feces. Their detection in drinking water suggests a potential breach in sanitation. (Food & Wine)
• Indicator organisms vs pathogens: Coliforms often act as indicators. Their presence doesn’t guarantee a specific pathogen (like E. coli) is present, but it raises suspicion. This is why regulatory action is required even if pathogens aren’t confirmed.
• Quality assurance (QA) in beverages: Water bottlers must ensure source protection, filtration/disinfection, sanitation of bottling lines, traceability of batches, and environmental testing. A lapse in any link can trigger contamination risk.
• Recall classification and risk assessment: Regulators assess the hazard and exposure to determine classification (Class I, II or III). That affects urgency and public notification. The Berkeley Springs recall being Class III means the hazard existed but was judged low risk.
• Traceability & batch codes: Being able to identify affected units (via codes 090326 etc.) is essential for both removing product and for consumer action.
• Preventive vs reactive recalls: This case exemplifies preventive action: no outbreak occurred, but the recall still took place because contamination risk was identified early. That’s optimal from a public-health standpoint.

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Preventing Future Recalls

What lessons can industry and consumers take from this incident?

For manufacturers & suppliers:

• Increase frequency of environmental and finished-product microbial testing.
• Improve bottling-line sanitization protocols (especially around large containers, e.g., 5-gallon water jugs).
• Strengthen traceability systems so batch codes can be tracked rapidly.
• Maintain fast response plans: when a suspect result emerges, act quickly to quarantine and recall.
• Transparent communication: consumers and retailers respond better when information is clear, timely, and actionable.

For consumers:

• Familiarize yourself with how to read batch codes and labels.
• If using a water delivery service (especially large jugs), inquire about the supplier’s QA/test history.
• Keep stocked water away from areas where contamination (animals, unsanitary storage) could occur.
• Stay aware of recall alerts — don’t assume bottled water is automatically “safe forever.”
• Treat bottled water like any other food item: check dates, codes, and condition of packaging.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What exactly caused the recall of Berkeley Springs Water?
A: Testing found coliform bacteria in certain batches of Berkeley Springs Water (Purified and Distilled). While coliforms aren’t necessarily harmful themselves, their presence can signal potential entry of more dangerous pathogens. (Allrecipes)

Q: What does a Class III recall mean for consumers?
A: The FDA defines a Class III recall as one in which “use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” (Newsweek)

Q: Can this recall lead to botulism or other serious disease?
A: There were no reports of botulism or serious disease tied to this recall. The concern was more about sanitary breach indicators than confirmed pathogens. For healthy individuals the risk was low, but the recall was still necessary.

Q: If I still have a bottle with one of the codes, what should I do?
A: Do not drink it. Contact the retailer or Berkeley Club Beverages (or your water delivery service) for return or refund according to their policy.

Q: Are other Berkeley Club Beverages products affected?
A: As of current public information, no other products beyond the two water lines listed and their specific batch codes appear in the recall. Still, if you use other Berkeley-brand beverages, always check the label/batch code or contact the company to confirm.

Q: Is it safe to drink Berkeley Springs Water now?
A: If the bottle is not one of the affected batch codes (090326, 090426, 090526, 090626) and was produced after the recall/distribution period, then yes — the product is considered safe based on the FDA termination of the recall. If you’re unsure, check with the supplier.

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Final Thoughts

The recall of Berkeley Springs Water by Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc. shows how food and beverage safety systems can work effectively: detection, voluntary recall, oversight, remediation, and termination. Even though no illnesses were linked to the event, the proactive recall helped avoid potential harm and maintained consumer trust.

For you — the consumer — the takeaway is fairly straightforward: check your bottles, verify batch codes, and don’t assume “all bottled water is automatically safe forever.” Use the incident as a reminder of the value of transparency, traceability, and being informed.

When you see the label “recall terminated” you can feel reassured that the regulatory process was followed through. At the same time, it’s a good moment to ask: What else did I buy recently? and Am I paying attention to batch numbers and recall notices?

Staying vigilant, informed, and proactive is the best way to turn a moment of concern into a chance for smarter consumer action.