Singapore – Singapore banned, with immediate effect, all bottled drinking water and mineral water from Malee Mineral Water after the detection of bacteria in recent consignments.

On June 28 (Friday), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) released a circular on its website advising all bottled water importers to cease all consignments with the Malaysian company.

“Through our recent surveillance, consignments of bottled drinking water from the manufacturer, Malee Mineral Water Sdn Bhd, were detected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa,” says the SFA’s Licencing and Permits Division.

“In view of the detection, the import of all bottled drinking and mineral water from Malee Mineral Water Sdn Bhd is not permitted, with immediate effect.”

According to its website, Malee Mineral water has three lines of drinking water available: Sukahati, Ro Fina and Still.

They look like this:

Photo: Taken from Malee Mineral Water’s website

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a negative bacteria commonly found in soil, water, and other moist locations.

The bacteria are a pathogen that takes advantage of an individual’s weakened immune system to start an infection. It also produces tissue-damaging toxins.

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Consumption of products containing the bacteria could lead to infections in the urinary tract, respiratory system, soft tissue, bones and joints, and skin, to name a few; however, “rarely cause serious illness” in healthy people, said the SFA.

The same bacteria is found in “Starfresh” bottled drinking water just a few weeks ago by the SFA. The product is being imported from Malaysia by Radha Exports Pte Ltd.

On June 12, the SFA released a circular directing the importer to recall all affected products.

The SFA advises consumers who purchased the implicated products not to consume them. Those who have consumed the products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice.

“Consumers may contact Radha Exports Pte Ltd at 6220 2777 for enquiries or exchange of products.”

Details on Starfresh can be seen below:

Photo: Taken from SFA

ByHana O