Coffee recalled over fatal poisoning fears

All canned coffee products manufactured by Snapchill are being recalled because they could contain the deadly botulinum toxin.

The company initiated a voluntary recall on June 17 after discovering its current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin in low acid canned foods. The recall applies to all products within their expiration date and a full list was released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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The items are sold under a range of roaster and brand names in various metal can sizes ranging from 7 to 12 oz. The products can be identified by checking whether they have “produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” written underneath the nutrition facts panel or “Snapchill Coffee” on the label.

Botulism is a rare, but potentially fatal, form of food poisoning that can cause general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing, according to the FDA. Symptoms can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food containing the toxin, and people experiencing the symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, the agency said.

The issue was discovered when the FDA notified Snapchill that the low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with FDA, as is required by regulation.

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No illnesses have yet been reported linked to the product and the company is not aware of any instances in which its products were found to contain botulin toxin.

The company is now working on filing the appropriate notification with FDA.

“Snapchill has provided a wide range of roasters nationwide with ‘Snapchill’ cold coffee since 2019, without any known consumer cases of botulism,” a Snapchill spokesperson told Newsweek in an emailed statement.

“However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified Snapchill that the low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with FDA, as is required by regulation. There is a possibility that the current manufacturing process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low acid canned foods.”

The company noted that the recall was voluntary, and that no illnesses have been reported. Snapchill said it is not aware of any instances in which its products were found to have contained the pathogen.

“At Snapchill, the safety and satisfaction of our customers are our highest priorities, and we are working swiftly to resolve the issue,” the statement continued. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or concern this recall may cause. We are working with the FDA on solutions to restart production within standards.”

The recalled products were distributed around the country through coffee roasters and retail locations and through direct online purchase from the company.

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Consumers in possession of the products were advised to either destroy them or return them to Snapchill or to their place of purchase for a refund, the FDA said.

Snapchill, which is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and produces canned cold coffees, says on its website that it brews its coffee hot to optimize the flavor, then uses its patented technology to instantly cool the drink before canning it.

It says that unlike iced hot brewed coffee, which as the name suggests relies on ice to cool the liquid, the products do not require ice, meaning that the strength of the coffee does not get diluted.

Update 6/21/24, 1:48 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from a Snapchill spokesperson.