Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the withdrawal of a bottled water product originating from Lebanon, under the brand name 'Tannourine,' from local markets as a precautionary measure.

According to Qatar News Agency, this decision comes following a notification issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The notification confirmed laboratory evidence of contamination in samples of the 'Tannourine' product with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The Ministry of Public Health has issued a warning to consumers, advising them against consuming the contaminated product. Consumers are urged to return the product to points of sale or to dispose of it safely by opening the bottle, pouring its contents down the drain, and discarding the empty container in the designated waste bin.

Importing companies, distributors, and relevant consumer associations have been instructed by the Ministry to remove the product from store shelves. In a bid to ensure public safety, samples of the product have also been collected and sent to the Ministry's Food Safety Laboratories for testing.

Furthermore, the Ministry's Food Safety Department inspection team has been proactive in conducting field visits to retail outlets to verify that the product has been removed from the shelves. This step is part of the broader measures to maintain food safety standards.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacterium found in the contaminated water, is commonly present in the environment, including soil and water. While it generally poses little risk, it may cause infections in humans, particularly in those with weakened immune systems.