FLINT, MI -- The U.S. Food & Drug administration has joined in an investigation of bottled water distributed in Flint just before Christmas which was the subject of complaints from some who received it.

Genesee County Health Department Director John McKellar said the federal agency, which regulates the safety of bottled water, took possession of water samples from the giveaway at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Flint on Dec. 21.

Some people who drank the water complained it had an unusual smell or taste. The church and the health department urged those who received the brands Niagara, Freedom’s Choice or Refreshe to dispose of it as a precaution based on complaints.

Initial testing by the county showed samples were normal for pH and bacteria, but McKellar said the county consulted with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development about further testing. The state then consulted with the FDA.

“FDA took possession of samples yesterday for additional testing. We expect to learn results in approximately two weeks,” McKellar said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal.

The Rev. Daniel Moore, pastor of Shiloh, has said his church distributed more than 100 pallets of bottled water in the Dec. 21 giveaway -- water acquired for distribution from FEMA by District 7 and Local 1626 of the American Federation of Government Employees.

FEMA said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal last week that it offered 104,000 liters of water that apparently ended up in Flint through the General Services Administration in October with “best before” dates of January/February.

The seven tractor trailer loads of water came from the FEMA Distribution Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and was stored “in accordance with producer guidance," according to a statement from the agency.

FEMA said it was investigating the origin of the Flint water, including how it was manufactured, stored and shipped.

The FDA did not immediately comment on its testing plans.