Brazil's health regulatory agency, Anvisa, ordered a voluntary recall of a specific batch of Crystal mineral water Wednesday due to bacterial contamination [1].

The recall is critical because the detected bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can pose health risks to consumers, particularly those with compromised immune systems.

Anvisa identified the affected product as batch LZ1 VAL200127 3 P 200126 [1], [2]. The recall involves 374,400 bottles of 500 ml each [2]. These bottles were produced at a factory located in Luziânia, Goiás [1], [2].

According to reports, the distribution of the contaminated batch spanned several regions. The affected water was distributed in the Federal District, Goiás, Tocantins, and São Paulo [1], [2].

The action follows a discovery by Lacen-DF, the regional health laboratory for the Federal District. The agency said the decision was made after Lacen-DF identified the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in samples of the product [2].

Consumers are advised to check their bottles for the specific batch code to ensure they are not using the contaminated water. The company is working with regulators to remove the identified stock from store shelves and distribution centers across the four affected states [1].

This is not the first time the agency has monitored water quality in the region, but the scale of this recall—affecting hundreds of thousands of units—highlights the potential for widespread contamination within a single production run [2].

“Anvisa ordered a voluntary recall of 374,400 bottles of 500 ml each.”

The recall of over 370,000 bottles indicates a significant failure in the quality control process at the Luziânia plant. Because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with water systems, its presence in bottled mineral water suggests a breach in the sterile bottling process or a contamination of the source. This event may lead to stricter oversight of mineral water production standards in Brazil to prevent similar outbreaks.