Surveys on Microbial Foreign Matter Contamination in Bottled Mineral Water in Tokyo

Abstract

A total of 292 imported and domestic bottled mineral waters (90 brands) obtained from consumers and retailers were examined for microbial foreign matters. Fungal and bacterial foreign matters were found in 45 samples (20 brands) and 14 samples (10 brands), respectively. The genus Penicillium was found at the highest frequency among the fungi, followed by Acremonium, Cladosporium. In some brands, several fungal species were found. The products containing the fungal foreign matters were much less contaminated by bacteria, compared with those containing bacterial foreign matters.