20 October 2008 - A bottling facility in Chateauneuf de Gadagne (Vaucluse department), run by L'Européenne d'Embouteillage, has discovered small amounts of Ethyl-Ter-Butyl-Ether (ETBE) in the water used for the production of "Source des Oliviers" water, "Taillefine", as well as "Oasis", "Grand Jury" and "Champion Agrumes" sodas and juices.
Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is commonly used as an oxygenate gasoline additive in the production of gasoline from crude oil.
Further to the discovery, the French Ministry of Health decided to remove some batches from shop shelves and has urged consumers not to drink those concerned by the recall. The Ministry also stressed the fact that human health risks are small.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for L'Européenne d'Embouteillage said: "the contamination was purely accidental and occured outside the bottling facility".
The cause of the contamination has not yet been discovered. However, the Ministry has launched an investigation into the matter.