Below we present a statement from Żywiec Zdrój concerning the accident that occurred on September 21 in Bolesławiec:
Today we received a report that a consumer from Bolesławiec was admitted to hospital with suspected burns after consuming liquid from a 0.5 l Żywioł product package originating from the plant in Mirosławiec. In connection with this, we would like to inform you that decisive measures have been taken to clarify the situation.
We immediately launched internal procedures aimed at verifying the causes of the incident. A team of specialists was appointed and, in cooperation with the sanitary inspection and police, is conducting explanatory work at the production plant. We are in constant contact with the authorities and inspection bodies. We would like to emphasize that the quality and safety of our products are a priority for us. The production process at our plants is subject to constant monitoring and is covered by a food quality and safety assurance system. In accordance with applicable procedures, reference samples are taken from every production batch and are available to the sanitary inspection. Thorough analyses of production records and control samples have been under way since the early morning.
It was established that the multipack purchased by the consumer contained 11 bottles from a production batch from August and one from April, which means that the product had not been originally packed by Żywiec Zdrój. Products with the following batch numbers are being verified: S:08/08/08:49/3/1 from August 8, 2016, and S: 20/04/11:04/3/1 from April 20, 2016. The preliminary findings of the inspection services confirm that the bottles from the August 8 batch raised no concerns. Further analyses are being conducted on the bottle from April 20, 2016—the police are considering the possibility that the product was deliberately contaminated with a chlorine-containing substance and placed in the multipack by a third party.
The preliminary findings of the sanitary inspection also make it possible to conclude that the current production is in no way connected with the situation. The safety of other products and carbonated water from other production days has not been questioned in any way—the products are safe.
All possible measures aimed at clarifying the situation are currently being taken. We will be available to you as soon as additional information in this matter is confirmed.
Update, September 22, 5:00 p.m.
In recent hours, we have been in contact with the consumer, and we also managed to meet with him. We now know that he is feeling better and should be discharged from hospital soon.
Representatives of several inspection institutions (the Sanitary Inspection) and the police conducted detailed explanatory inspections at the production plant from early morning and found no irregularities. As confirmed by the latest statement from the Chief Sanitary Inspector, apart from the case in Bolesławiec, Żywioł water from Żywiec Zdrój poses no threat whatsoever to consumers’ health.