Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination triggers recall of Raffelberger mineral water in Germany

Bacterial testing has identified the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in several batches of Raffelberger mineral water, prompting a product recall in Germany. The bacterium is generally harmless to healthy individuals but can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, wound sepsis, and ear infections in immunocompromised patients. German drinking‑water regulations set a zero‑tolerance limit for this organism, so any detection requires immediate withdrawal of the affected lots.

The recall covers nine 0.75‑liter bottles of Raffelberger Medium with best‑before dates ranging from 9 June 2028 to 30 June 2028, and one 0.70‑liter bottle of Raffelberger Klassik dated 16 June 2028. Consumers are advised to check bottle markings and consult the website www.lebensmittelwarnung.de for details. Authorities stress that a single positive test does not automatically indicate a health danger, but the precautionary removal aims to protect vulnerable groups.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in moist environments and can persist in biofilms on water‑handling equipment, making strict hygiene essential in bottling plants. The incident underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and strict adherence to sanitation protocols in the bottled‑water industry.