Download ABWI-memberalertralstonia-3

memberAlert
Ralstonia spp:
Background
Given the variety and nature of spring water in Australia, a range of
microbiological organisms can be present both at the source and at bottling.
ABWI’s stringent testing and quality standards ensure that the vast majority of
any problematic organisms are removed. These standards result in high
quality, perfectly safe water for most of the population.
Issue
ABWI has received recent notification regarding the presence of Ralstonia
spp as a potentially problematic microorganism in bottled water. The presence
of this bacterium has potentially negative implications in immunocompromised individuals eg. elderly, infirm, neonates etc. The bacterium was
isolated in Queensland hospitals from bottled water given to patients.
This organism is commonly present in soil and therefore water, and is highly
resistant to ozone treatment. In nutrient deprived environments it is known to
pass through 0.1 micron (nominal) microfiltration. This bacterium, due to its
nature, will not be detected using standard microbiological techniques
presently employed by the industry. As a Gram Negative Bacterium it should
not be resistant to Silver Ion treatment.( Recent testing has substantiated this
using a perscribed Silver dosage of 0.01mg/L.)
A method for detecting the presence of the bacterium has been developed in
association with the Queensland Health Department - Scientific Services
microbiology laboratory - Biotech.
Biotech Laboratories can now perform two tests:
1. Ralstonia/Cupriavidus species test; and
2. a Gram Negative Bacteria test.
They have named the Ralstonia analysis as ‘Ralstonia/Cupriavidus species’
because Ralstonia paucula has recently been renamed as Cupriavidus
pauculus. The reason for the Gram Negative Bacteria analysis is because in
early testing associated with the original incident, other bacteria, such as
Pseudomonads, Commomonas and Burkholderia were identified in samples,
which could also be significant.
The cost for these two analyses performed together is $50.00 (excl GST).
These bacteria are difficult to identify to the species level and a charge of
$50.70 is applied if growth is detected. For more information please contact:

Biotech Laboratories
Lobby Level, Administration Building
Greenslopes Private Hospital
Newdegate Street
Greenslopes QLD 4120
[email protected] or [email protected]
Recommendation
If ABWI members have customers who provide water to susceptible
populations eg hospitals patients etc, members should:
1. undertake the above test to determine if these bacterium are present in
the water;
2. advise their customer(s) that ABWI certified bottled water is a of a very
high standard for quality and safety, but it is not sterile and caution
should be exercised with immuno-compromised patients;
3. contact an ABWI supplier member filtration specialist to discuss options
available to potentially remove any such organisms.
More Information
If any member requires any additional information on any aspect of this alert,
please contact:
 Colin Felder
Technical and Regulatory Affairs Manager
Australian Beverages Council / Australasian Bottled Water Institute
P: 02 9662 4822
M: 0414 882 016
E: [email protected]