Another Bottled Water Recall – and Another Reminder Why Tap Filtration Matters

Recent news coverage by the BBC has brought renewed attention to an often-overlooked risk associated with bottled water. A recall issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers that certain bottles of Waitrose No.1 Royal Deeside Mineral Water - both still and sparkling - may contain glass fragments, making them unsafe to drink.

The recall affects 750ml bottles with specific batch codes and best-before dates in November and December 2027. Customers have been advised not to consume the product and to return it to store for a full refund. While Waitrose has apologised and stated the recall is precautionary, the incident underscores a wider issue: bottled water is not immune to contamination or safety failures.

Bottled Water: Perception vs Reality

Bottled water is often marketed as a premium, safer alternative to tap water. However, recalls like this demonstrate that risks can occur after the water leaves the source, including during bottling, storage, transport, or packaging. Glass, plastic fragments, and microbial contamination are among the most common causes of bottled water recalls globally.

In this case, the water itself originates from natural springs in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, yet the potential hazard arises at the packaging stage - a reminder that purity at source does not guarantee safety at consumption.

Environmental and Practical Costs

Beyond safety concerns, bottled water carries well-documented downsides:

• Heavy reliance on single-use plastic or glass
• High carbon footprint from transport and logistics
• Ongoing cost to consumers (with these recalled bottles retailing at around £1.60 each)
• Inconvenience when recalls occur, requiring consumers to track batch codes and return products

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A Safer, More Reliable Alternative: Filtered Tap Water

At The Filter Tap Company, we see growing awareness among households that home water filtration offers a safer, more consistent, and more sustainable solution.

Our systems filter water at the point of use, removing contaminants just before consumption and eliminating risks associated with bottling and storage.

• Carbon Filtration Taps remove up to 99.9% of lead, chlorine, microplastics, limescale, sediment, and bacteria, dramatically improving taste and quality.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Taps go even further, removing 99.99% of contaminants, including fluoride, pharmaceuticals, viruses, hormones, and microplastics - delivering water with near-zero TDS.

Both systems provide:

• Freshly filtered water on demand
• Reduced dependence on bottled water
• Long-term cost savings
• A significant reduction in plastic and glass waste

Peace of Mind at Home

Unlike bottled water, filtered tap water:

• Cannot be subject to mass recalls
• Is filtered immediately before drinking
• Is fully under the homeowner’s control
• Meets modern expectations for sustainability and transparency

The recent Waitrose recall serves as a timely reminder that convenience and branding do not equal certainty. As consumers become more informed about water safety, sustainability, and value, point-of-use filtration is increasingly recognised as the smarter long-term choice.

For those reconsidering bottled water, The Filter Tap Company provides practical, proven solutions that deliver clean, great-tasting drinking water - straight from the tap.