Is FIJI Water Still Safe to Drink?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

In May 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of nearly 1.9 million bottles of FIJI Natural Artesian Water due to the presence of manganese and bacteria. This major event has led many consumers to question: Is FIJI Water still safe to drink? This article explores the details behind recent safety concerns, analyzes the product's quality, and assesses its overall safety for consumers today.

Quick Summary

This article examines the recent FDA recall of FIJI Water, investigating the specifics of manganese and bacterial contamination. It compares FIJI Water's claimed purity against independent studies revealing microplastics and discusses the risks associated with plastic packaging and tap water alternatives. The guide explains the company's response and offers insights for consumers navigating bottled water safety concerns.

Key Points

Recent Recall: In May 2024, nearly 1.9 million bottles of FIJI Water sold via Amazon were recalled due to manganese and bacterial contamination.
FDA Classification: The recall was a Class III, indicating a low likelihood of adverse health effects, but still contradicts the brand's pristine image.
Microplastics Detected: Independent studies in 2018 and 2024 have detected microplastics and nanoplastics in FIJI Water, alongside other brands.
Packaging Concerns: A lawsuit challenges FIJI's 'natural' claims, citing the presence of microplastics and BPA linked to the PET plastic packaging.
FIJI's Quality Control: The company asserts its water is tested regularly and filtered using micron and UV light processes, meeting all FDA standards.
Alternative Consideration: Consumers concerned about bottled water safety may consider home filtration systems or tap water, which is often more rigorously tested than bottled alternatives.
The Bottom Line: While specific recalled bottles were removed from circulation, consumers must weigh the convenience of bottled water against broader concerns about microplastics and recent contamination issues.

Recent FDA Recall: Understanding the Issue

In a significant announcement in May 2024, the FDA issued a Class III recall for specific lots of FIJI Natural Artesian Water. The recall was prompted by customer complaints regarding discoloration in the water, which upon testing, revealed the presence of manganese and three types of bacteria. A Class III recall is the least serious, indicating that while the product is defective, it is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. However, the incident drew significant attention due to FIJI Water's premium branding and claims of untouched purity.

The affected bottles were limited to a specific period of production in November 2023 and were sold exclusively through Amazon.com between February and March 2024. In response, FIJI Water's parent company, Natural Waters of Viti Limited, acted quickly and voluntarily to reclaim nearly all affected products from warehouses. While the company asserted that the products posed no health risk, the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in bottled water production and quality control.

Manganese and Bacteria: The Health Context

Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral that is an essential nutrient in small doses. However, excessive exposure, particularly in drinking water, can lead to neurological and behavioral issues. The FDA has a maximum acceptable level of manganese in bottled water, which the recalled FIJI products reportedly exceeded. The types of bacteria found were not specified publicly, but their presence, even at low-risk levels, contradicts the 'pristine' image of the product. This situation serves as a critical reminder that even heavily marketed premium brands can face quality control challenges, and a product's origin story doesn't guarantee absolute purity from contamination during bottling.

The Microplastic Problem

Beyond the specific recall, broader concerns about microplastics in bottled water have affected the entire industry, and FIJI Water is no exception.

Independent studies have consistently found microplastics in a vast majority of bottled water brands tested:

Orb Media Study (2018): This investigation found microplastic contamination in 93% of bottled water samples, with bottled water containing nearly twice as much microplastic as tap water.
Columbia University Study (2024): Researchers developed new technology to detect even smaller plastic fragments (nanoplastics) and found a significantly higher concentration—an average of 240,000 detectable particles per liter—in bottled water, far exceeding previous estimates.

These findings suggest that plastic particles are entering the water, likely during the manufacturing and packaging process itself. A lawsuit filed in January 2025 by the Plastic Pollution Coalition specifically targeted FIJI Water for its marketing claims of 'natural' and 'untouched' purity, arguing that the presence of microplastics and BPA is misleading to consumers. While the health effects of microplastic ingestion are not yet fully understood, they are a growing area of scientific concern.

Comparison: FIJI Water vs. Alternatives

To evaluate the safety of FIJI Water today, it's useful to compare it against other options. This table outlines the key considerations for consumers.


Feature	FIJI Water	Filtered Tap Water	Other Bottled Water
Source	Artesian aquifer in Fiji.	Municipal water supply.	Varies widely (spring, purified, municipal).
Purity Claim	"Untouched by human hands," naturally filtered.	Tested frequently by EPA and local utilities.	Varies; regulated by FDA.
Recent Contamination Issues	Manganese and bacterial recall (May 2024).	Potential lead, PFAS, or other localized issues.	Widespread microplastic presence confirmed in many brands.
Plastic Risk	Packaged in high-grade PET plastic. Microplastics and BPA have been detected.	No plastic bottle-related leaching, but potential for microplastics in water supply.	Varies by packaging material, but microplastic risk is high.
Environmental Impact	High carbon footprint due to shipping from remote island.	Minimal footprint compared to bottled water.	Varies, but generally higher than tap water due to production and transportation.
Taste	Unique, soft, and smooth taste from silica.	Varies by municipal source; can be improved with filtration.	Varies widely based on mineral content and source.

FIJI's Response and Ongoing Quality Assurance

In the wake of the 2024 recall, FIJI Water's parent company stated that 99% of the affected product was reclaimed and that the issue was contained. The company has reiterated its commitment to quality control, citing regular monitoring of its protected source and multi-stage filtration processes. Their process involves removing particulate matter, micron-filtering to eliminate microbiological particles, and using ultra-violet light for disinfection. FIJI also points to its adherence to FDA standards and independent testing for regulated and unregulated contaminants.

However, the recent lawsuit challenging the 'natural' and 'untouched' branding in light of microplastic findings adds a new layer of scrutiny. The company's defense rests on its strict adherence to existing FDA standards, which may not yet fully address emerging contaminants like nanoplastics.

Conclusion: Is FIJI Water Still Safe to Drink?

For consumers with bottles not affected by the specific November 2023 recall, FIJI Water is considered safe to drink according to FDA standards. The company maintains robust quality control measures at its source and during bottling. However, the broader safety profile is more complex. The 2024 recall, although minor in health risk, damaged the brand's perception of flawless purity. Furthermore, the persistent and industry-wide issue of microplastic contamination in bottled water, including FIJI's products, presents an unresolved health concern for many consumers. While the company's artesian source is naturally protected, contamination appears to occur during the packaging process, calling into question the 'untouched' claim. Ultimately, the decision to drink FIJI Water depends on a personal assessment of the convenience versus the potential risks, including recent contamination issues and the documented presence of microplastics. For those prioritizing absolute purity, home water filtration systems remain a strong alternative. For an overview of bottled water alternatives, consider resources from reputable consumer advocacy organizations like the Environmental Working Group [https://www.ewg.org/guides/about-ewg-bottled-water-scorecard/].

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in May 2024, the U.S. FDA announced a Class III recall of nearly 1.9 million bottles of FIJI Water that were sold through Amazon between February and March 2024.

The recall was initiated after testing found the presence of manganese and three types of bacteria in certain batches of the water. The issue was prompted by customer complaints about discoloration.

The FDA classified the recall as Class III, indicating a low risk of adverse health consequences. However, manganese exposure can affect the nervous system, and any bacteria indicates a breakdown in quality control.

Yes, independent studies have found microplastics in FIJI Water and many other bottled water brands. A 2024 study even found significantly higher concentrations of nanoplastics than previously estimated.

The "untouched" claim is challenged by the presence of microplastics and other contaminants found in testing, which likely enter the water during the manufacturing and bottling process.

FIJI Water states that its bottles are made from high-grade PET plastic and have never contained Bisphenol A (BPA). However, other studies have still detected plastic-related contaminants.

Tap water is often regulated more stringently by the EPA than bottled water is by the FDA, with more frequent testing. While tap water has its own regional risks, some studies suggest it contains fewer microplastics than bottled water.