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Kroger Recalls Baby Water After Finding Mold in It, FDA Says

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Parents and caregivers, listen up: Kroger is recalling some of its water for babies after it tested positive for mold, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports.

The product in question is the gallon-sized Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added, with sell-by dates between April 26, 2018 and October 10, 2018. After receiving complaints about mold in the water, Kroger tested the water and identified the mold as Talaromyces penicillium. The FDA says that though the water is sold in clear bottles, the mold isn’t always visible to the naked eye.

The affected water was distributed to Kroger stores including Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Food 4 Less, Owen’s, Ruler, and Payless Super Market in the following 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Kroger has since instructed all of its stores to remove the contaminated water from its shelves.

How to Tell If the Kroger Recall Affects You

If you purchased Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added, first check that the sell-by date falls between the above dates. If it does, locate the UPC code and plant code; for the recalled water the UPC code should be 0 41260 37597 2, and the plant code is 51-4140. The label will also read: DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202.

After you’ve confirmed that the Kroger recall affects you, bring your water to your local Kroger where you can get a refund.

Health Issues Associated With Mold Exposure

According to the FDA, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction often products the same symptoms of hay fever: red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and a skin rash. Exposure to mold can also trigger an asthma attack for those who suffer from asthma. And even if you aren’t allergic to mold, exposure can irritate your eyes, lungs, nose, skin, and throat.

If you or someone you know drank the water — regardless of whether you’ve noticed any of the above symptoms — don’t hesitate to make an appointment for you or your little ones with the doctor. Talaromyces penicillium, if left untreated, can compromise a baby’s or someone with HIV’s immune system, leading to serious health consequences.

This recall shouldn’t put you off drinking water, so here are five ways to add more H2O to your day.

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