The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a nationwide recall of canned coffee products due to a potentially deadly contamination. Reportedly, 300 specific products from 147 brands whose canned coffee beverages may contain the presence of Clostridium botulinum.
The Green Bay, Wisconsin-based coffee manufacturer Snapchill was forced to recall all of its products after the FDA determined that the company’s manufacturing process could promote the growth of the toxin.
Clostridium is a causative agent of botulism, a rare illness caused by a toxin that affects the body’s nerves. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Clostridium botulinum toxins attack your nerves. This can cause weakness and paralysis of your muscles, like those that help you move, talk and swallow. If the toxins attack the nerves that control your breathing, it can be fatal.”
Furthermore, the toxin, if ingested, can reportedly induce a rare form of food poisoning that comes with severe symptoms such as weakness, double vision, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and more. These symptons can manifest anywhere from just hours to a couple of weeks after ingestion.
A June 17 company announcement posted by the FDA detailed the predicament of the potential of Clostridium botulinum in Snapchill’s products. The company warned consumers of the potential side effects and urged anyone experiencing them to seek immediate medical attention.
“Snapchill LLC (Snapchill) of Green Bay, WI is voluntarily recalling all canned coffee products manufactured by the company, within expiration date, because their current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low acid canned foods. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. Symptoms can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains botulinum toxin. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention,” the statement began.
Fortunately, there have been no reported illnesses since the recall was announced. The company announcement specified that the impacted products lie in a range of sizes in their metal can offerings. Snapchill also emphasized that the recall was voluntary and made the FDA aware of the circumstances.
The products are sold under a range of roaster and brand names, in various metal can sizes ranging from 7 oz to 12 oz. The products are identifiable by the language “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” underneath the nutrition facts panel. Some of the products can also be identified by the text “Snapchill Coffee” on the label. The specific products subject to this voluntary recall are listed at the end of this notice.
The statement concluded by calling on consumers to either discard or return the recalled products to Snapchill. Customers can also attain a full refund for the potentially contaminated products from Snapchill.
“Consumers should either destroy the products or return the product to Snapchill or the place of purchase for a refund. Snapchill will offer full refunds for any of these products, with appropriate proof of purchase including a picture of the product(s) before being destroyed. Full information about the return and refund will be available at [email protected].”
Featured image credit: Julius Schorzman, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_small_cup_of_coffee.JPG
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