26 March 2009

Water bottles recalled from pre-schools

NSW Health has today announced a statewide recall of plastic drinking bottles issued to pre-schools throughout the State as part of a health promotion initiative, following a complaint that the valve lid was potentially faulty.

NSW Health director, health advancement Liz Develin said potentially more than 2,600 water bottles were planned for supply to pre-schools in the Illawarra, the central coast and Sydney’s northern beaches as part of the “Munch & Move” program, to encourage children to drink more tap water as an alternative to sugary soft drinks.

“The Health Department has contacted all health promotion units across the State to advise of this action and to ensure any other team that purchased the same product from the supplier, does not distribute it,” Ms Develin said.

“The Central Coast Health Promotion Unit received advice from one pre-school last week that a valve on the lid of one of the bottles had come off.

“The health promotion team took immediate action to retrieve the drink bottles from those northern beaches and central coast pre-schools affected.

“Pre-schools in the Illawarra have also received the product and contact has been made with facilities to ensure the water bottles are retrieved as a precaution.

“Fortunately there have been no incidents reported,” Ms Develin said.

Ms Develin confirmed NSW Health had alerted Recall Australia.   

Ms Develin said that any parent who is in possession of a clear bottle with an orange lid, printed with the “Munch & Move” logo is asked to return the product to their pre-school.

Health Promotion staff will ensure appropriate collection of the water bottles from the pre-schools.

Munch & Move is a statewide program targeting three to five year olds, aimed at educating early childhood professionals, children, parents and families about appropriate physical activity and nutrition, to curb increasing rates of childhood obesity.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au