By Jessica 
The Berkeley Club Beverages recall terminated officially on November 13, 2024, after a rollercoaster of reporting errors and corrections. This report unpacks the actual facts about this bottled water recall that impacted far fewer products than initially reported.
[Sources: FDA Enforcement Reports and Newsweek investigations, November 2024]
What Actually Happened with Berkeley Springs Water
Berkeley Club Beverages, based in West Virginia, started a voluntary recall on September 12, 2024, when their testing found coliform bacteria in certain bottled water batches.
The truth about this recall was buried under a major reporting mistake.
While the FDA initially stated 151,397 bottles needed recall, the real number was just 1,034 bottles. A company spokesperson told Newsweek this was a “tremendous mistake” (source) that likely damaged their reputation unnecessarily.
This 99% reduction completely changes how we should understand this recall.
Which Berkeley Club Products Were Affected
The FDA recall notice covered these specific items:
- “Berkeley Springs Water Purified”
- “Berkeley Springs Water Distilled”
- Packaging: 1 gallon and 5 gallon plastic containers
- Batch codes: 090326, 090426, 090526, and 090626
- Distribution area: Only West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia
Why Coliform Bacteria Matters in Water
Understanding the Risk Level
The FDA classified this as a Class III recall on November 8, 2024, their lowest risk category. This official designation means the product “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”
What Coliforms Signal
Coliform bacteria serve as water quality indicators rather than direct health threats. Their presence can point to:
- Water treatment effectiveness issues
- Possible contamination after bottling
- Need for quality process improvements
Actual Health Impact
FDA bottled water standards maintain virtually zero tolerance for coliforms, despite many strains posing minimal direct health risks.
The official record confirmed no illnesses were reported from this Berkeley Club Beverages recall.
Key Dates in the Berkeley Club Recall Process
The FDA enforcement timeline shows:
- September 12, 2024: Berkeley Club Beverages started a voluntary recall
- November 8, 2024: FDA assigned Class III (low risk) classification
- November 13, 2024: FDA officially terminated the recall
The quick five-day period between classification and termination shows efficient resolution. According to FDA procedures documented by Newsweek (source), recall termination happens only when “all reasonable efforts have been made to remove or correct the product” and “proper disposition has been made commensurate with the hazard.”
The Media Reporting Problem
This Berkeley Club case revealed serious issues with accuracy in regulatory reporting.
Initial Inflated Numbers
The FDA first reported approximately 151,397 bottles in the recall. Media outlets including Food & Wine and Real Simple (source) published this massive figure, triggering widespread consumer concern.
The Correction That Came Too Late
The FDA later admitted this error to Newsweek. The actual amount was just 1,034 bottles, less than 1% of the initially reported number. Some sources mentioned 1,304 bottles, but both figures show a 99% reduction from the first report.
Reputation Damage
The Berkeley Club Beverages spokesperson highlighted this as a “tremendous mistake” causing unwarranted damage to their company reputation.
How Berkeley Club Beverages Resolved the Issue
Swift Response Protocol
Company records and FDA documentation show Berkeley Club Beverages followed proper food safety protocols:
- Started voluntary recall immediately upon discovering contamination
- Used batch tracing to locate affected products
- Successfully recovered and destroyed the affected bottles
- Maintained consistent communication with regulators
Quality Management Results
The company completed all mitigation steps without any reported consumer illnesses, demonstrating effective quality management during a product incident.
The FDA Recall Termination Process
Regulatory Requirements
Before closing any recall case, FDA protocols require verification that:
- The company removed affected products from commercial channels
- Documentation exists for all recovered product
- Proper disposal occurred for affected units
- Root cause analysis was completed
- Prevention measures exist to avoid recurrence
Official Closure
Berkeley Club Beverages received termination notification on November 13th, confirming they met all FDA requirements to close the case.
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Water Safety Standards for Consumers
The bottled water industry follows strict FDA regulations with virtually zero tolerance for coliform bacteria in commercial bottled water.
This strict standard explains why even limited contamination triggers recall procedures, even when the FDA classifies the health risk as minimal.
Bottled Water Safety Tips
Consumers can verify product safety by:
- Checking batch codes against FDA recall databases
- Verifying bottling dates for freshness
- Inspecting packaging for tampering signs
- Following proper storage guidelines
Berkeley Club Recall FAQ
What caused the Berkeley Club Beverages water recall?
Laboratory testing found coliform bacteria in specific batches of Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Distilled products. Coliforms indicate potential treatment issues or handling problems.
How many bottles were actually in the Berkeley Club recall?
The FDA initially reported 151,397 bottles but later corrected this to 1,034 bottles. Both the FDA and company representatives confirmed this correction to Newsweek.
Is Berkeley Springs water safe now?
Yes. The FDA formally terminated the recall on November 13, 2024, confirming Berkeley Club Beverages completed all required corrective actions. No consumer illnesses were reported with this product.
What should consumers do with recalled Berkeley water?
Any remaining bottles with batch codes 090326, 090426, 090526, or 090626 should not be consumed. The recall termination indicates most affected product has already been recovered and destroyed.
How does FDA determine when to terminate a recall?
FDA recall termination requires verification that all affected products were removed from market channels, proper disposal occurred, and the potential hazard was adequately addressed.
Did this recall affect all bottled water in the region?
No. This was an isolated quality incident affecting only specific batch codes of Berkeley Club Beverages products in three states during a limited timeframe.
Lessons from the Berkeley Club Water Recall
The swift movement from FDA classification to Berkeley Club Beverages recall terminated status shows the regulatory system working properly. The November 13th termination came just five days after classification, indicating efficient resolution.
This case reveals important food safety reporting concerns. The 99% difference between reported figures (151,397 bottles) and actual scope (1,034 bottles) raises questions about data accuracy in regulatory communications.
For bottled water companies, this incident highlights the importance of quality systems that quickly identify and address contamination. For regulators, it shows the need for data verification before public disclosure.
Consumers benefit from understanding that FDA Class III recalls represent the lowest risk category. The successful termination of this Berkeley Club recall confirms the effectiveness of the food safety system while revealing opportunities for improved accuracy in regulatory communications.
The Berkeley Club Beverages recall terminated officially on November 13, 2024, properly closing an incident notable both for its minimal health impact and for exposing significant problems in regulatory reporting accuracy.