Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has recalled all of its bottled spring water in New York and four other states. During the disinfection process, the company found high levels of bromate.
Some of the recent tests showed water samples with up to 25 parts per billion of bromate, which is formed when ozone used to disinfect the water reacts with the naturally occurring bromide found in the source water.
The federal standard for bottled water is a maximum of 10 parts of bromate per billion.
Wegmans spokeswoman Jo Natale said the water doesn’t pose an imminent health risk. However, customers are encouraged to return Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Spring Water with a use-by date of Aug. 8, 2008 or earlier. Any store will provide a full refund.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that it would take people years to develop an increased risk of cancer if they were to continue drinking water with high bromate levels.
Source: Rochester Democrat & Chronicle