The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said that a recall of bottled water is part of an investigation into Celtic Pure.
Dozens of bottled water brands were recalled due to arsenic fears last night and today a consumer rights advocate said basic food product contamination should not be happening in 2019.
Still, sparking and fruit water brands were all affected by the presence of high levels of the poisonous heavy metal.
The recall includes still and sparkling from Aldi/Comeragh, still water from Lidl, still water from Applegreen and still and sparkling and flavoured water from Dunnes Stores.
Consumers were warned to stay away from seven types of Dunnes flavoured water, including the chain’s Apple & Elderflower Flavoured Sparkling Irish Spring Water, the Citrus Medley Flavoured Water and the Strawberry Flavoured Water.
Spar, Londis, Mace and Broderick brands of still water were also recalled, as well as those sold in chippers and cafes across the country, such as Itica, Macari and San Marino still water.
Holidaymakers were also warned to stay away from Plane still water.
A statement from the FSAI today said: “The current recall of a range of branded bottled waters is part of an ongoing investigation into Celtic Pure being undertaken by the FSAI and the HSE.
“This recall is a precautionary measure due to some water products from one well being detected with arsenic levels above the permitted legal limit.”
But the FSAI said the public does not have to be unduly alarmed about the levels of arsenic.
The FSAI stated: “The levels detected, whilst above the legal limit, are not considered to pose any short-term adverse health effects and the risk of any long-term health effect is unlikely.
“All affected products are being removed from sale by retailers. As a precautionary measure, consumers are advised not to drink those products implicated in this recall.”
The FSAI said that as investigations are ongoing, no further comment can be made at this time.
Aldi was first out of the blocks today with a statement.
A spokesperson said: "Celtic Pure has recalled the following Aldi Ireland products as a precautionary measure, due to the presence of arsenic above normal levels: Bottles and multipacks of the Comeragh Spring Water range with batch numbers 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 177, 178,191,192, 199, 201, 202, 203, 204, 211, and 213.
"All of the affected product has been removed from sale at all Aldi Ireland stores.
"Customers should be advised that they will continue to see Comeragh Spring Water for sale in some of our stores. This is because the product in these stores has come from a different Irish supplier and these products are unaffected.
"We apologise for any inconvenience and thank customers for their co-operation."
As people try to stay hydrated in the summer heat - and levels of water consumption have increased in recent years - the high arsenic levels couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“One question is key - is it all from the same source?” said Dermott Jewell, of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland.
“This is food safety, and this is an issue that affects everybody. So we need to know what the source is.
“The question has got to go back to the organisation who has put the bottles of water out there because something has failed in their internal structure which has allowed this tainted or contaminated water to be put on the market, which should never happen.
“The final check goes with the Food Safety Authority, the first check has got to be with the source and then with the bottling plant.
“So they have failed very badly and we need to know more about it.”
Mr Jewell said the public deserves to know the truth and have accurate information.
He said: “Consumers need to know all of the details so that they can make informed choices - because right now they’re not in a position to do that.”
“This shouldn’t be happening in 2019. We’ve got too many checks and balances in place.”
This major recall is the second in just one week. Last Sunday, bottles of Spar and Londis still water were urgently recalled from shops across the country over concerns about high levels of arsenic.
Consumers have been advised not to drink any of the recalled water and to seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said in a statement: “Consumers are advised not to drink the implicated batches of water.
“If you have consumed any of the affected batches and feel unwell, please contact your GP.”
You can find out more information, including batch code numbers, on the Food Safety Authority website.
