Microbial fungus contamination prompts Chemist Warehouse drink recall

The “energy water” is sold at Chemist Warehouse stores across Australia and has been found to be potentially contaminated with the fungus.

The drinks have been found to contain the black, yeast-like fungal microbial contamination Aureobasidium melanogenum, which can cause illness if ingested.

A flavoured energy drink sold across Australia is being urgently recalled over concerns it has been potentially contaminated with a microbial fungus.

Performance Inspired’s Protein Water Ready 2 Go Blueberry Lemonade Flavour, and Energy Water Go Time Fruit Punch Pow Flavour, which both come in 500ml bottles, are subject to the recall notice.

Brand Solutions Australia is conducting a recall of Performance Inspired Protein Water Ready 2 Go Blueberry Lemonade Flavour 500ml and Performance Inspired Energy Water Go Time Fruit Punch Pow Flavour 500 mL.

The Energy Water includes those with a best before date up to and including December 26, while the Protein Water affected covers the period up to and including December 28.

“The recall is due to microbial (Aureobasidium melanogenum) contamination,” the recall notice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand, issued on Wednesday, said.

⚠️ Food recall notice ⚠️

👉Performance Inspired Energy Water Go Time Fruit Punch Pow Flavour 500 mL.
👉Performance Inspired Protein Water Ready 2 Go Blueberry Lemonade Flavour 500 mL.

The products have been available for sale in Chemist Warehouse stores nationally.

Brand… pic.twitter.com/oMM1Fr2VS9

— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) October 11, 2023

“Food products contaminated with Aureobasidium melanogenum may cause illness if consumed.”

The drinks are sold at Chemist Warehouse stores nationally.

Anyone with an affected product should not consume it, and instead return it to where it was purchased for a full refund.

Aureobasidium melanogenum is a common, dark-coloured, yeast-like fungus which is usually found in freshwater.

The drinks are sold at Chemist Warehouse stores across Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Anyone who has consumed one of the potentially contaminated drinks and is concerned about their health is advised to seek medical advice.
Anyone seeking further information can contact Brand Solutions Australia directly on [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

The specific bath numbers affected are: 22300-1, 22300-2, 22300-3, 22301-1, and 22256-1 for the Protein Water, and 22299-1, 22298-1, and 22255-1 for the Energy Water.