COMPANY RECALLS BOTTLED WATER

MARION, Ill. -- All bottled water production at the Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. has been voluntarily discontinued until a contamination problem can be resolved.

Questions concerning Crisp 'N Clear bottled water surfaced recently when product samples from a July production run were found to have a bacteria count above acceptable standards.

The company promptly conducted a recall of the July 23 production run.

Last Friday the company expanded its recovery of the product to include all production date codes for July, August and September on Crisp 'N Clear and Natural Springs products to eliminate any possible consumer concerns.

The Friday announcement was made by the Illinois State Health Department.

Dr. John Lumpkin, the state's health director, announced the company had voluntarily agreed to recall its Natural Springs brand of bottled water. Until then some of the Natural Springs brand was still on retail shelves.

"We have empty shelves there now," said a spokesman for Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau, which handled both brands.

Lumpkin said the bacteria found in both brands of the bottled water was of minimal health risk but the levels exceeded federal and state water-quality standards and are a sign of production problems at the plant.

Company officials said Tuesday that the possible cause has been identified and corrective actions are being taken.

Consumers may exchange the products at retail outlets for full credit, said a Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. spokesman Tuesday. In all cases the product will be destroyed.

The bottled water produced at the Marion plant was distributed in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas.

The company earlier conducted a recall of its July 23 production run of Crisp 'N Clear. As an added precaution the company expanded its recovery of products to include all production date codes for July, August and September on all package sizes of Crisp 'N Clear and National Springs.

Consumers with questions may contact the company's custom service department at 1-800-827-7020.