x
Breaking News
More () »

Recall: Kroger pulls purified water for babies over mold

The affected drinks are jugs with sell-by dates between April 26, 2018, and Oct. 10, 2018, which are sold at various chains owned by the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.
Empty trolley in supermarket

Supermarket giant Kroger is recalling purified water for babies over a mold problem.

The water — Comforts for Baby Purified Water with Fluoride Added — in one-gallon containers is contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The affected drinks are jugs with sell-by dates between April 26, 2018, and Oct. 10, 2018, which are sold at various chains owned by the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.

Those stores include Food 4 Less, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Payless Super Market and Ruler, and they are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

"The water is sold in clear containers, but the mold may not be visible with the naked eye," the FDA said.

People who bought this kind of Comfort for Baby water are advised to bring the product back to the stores for refunds.

The concern is for babies who have HIV or compromised immune systems, because ingesting mold-contaminated water "may lead to serious health consequences," according to the FDA. In the general population, breathing in or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions, like sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes, and trigger asthma attacks in asthmatics who are allergic to mold.

"While no health risk is associated with this product, out of an abundance of caution, we removed this product from sale several weeks ago," Kroger spokeswoman Kristal Howard said.

The recalled water has the UPC 0 41260 37597 2 and the plant code 51-4140.

Kroger stock was down 7 cents at $26.80 before the US. stock market opened on Tuesday.

Before You Leave, Check This Out