"None of the five waters tested showed any trace of coliform bacteria, which can be an indicator of E. coli. But a heterotrophic plate count test, which indicates whether conditions are ripe for bacteria growth, showed Fiji water with an estimated 1,800 colony-forming units per milliliter. The recommended maximum is 500 colony-forming units.Why couldn't Fiji Water be reached for comment?
Paul Tierney, director of the food protection program at the state Department of Public Health, said the higher level does not necessarily indicate a health risk, but possibly a sanitation problem at the bottling plant. He said tests by his agency have found levels as high as 2,500 in some bottled waters.
Heterotrophic plate count levels are sometimes higher in bottled waters that are not disinfected and exposed to higher temperatures before consumption.
Officials at Fiji water could not be reached for comment. The lab officials who conducted the tests for the Globe said they were confident of the results."
They seem to have enough contact information on their site:
1.877.H2O.FIJI
1.877.426.3454 (toll free within the U.S. and Canada)
0800.056.4137 (UK)
1.800.880.443 (Australia)
Address
FIJI Water, LLC
11444 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
USA
