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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]