Potential Botulism Sparks Coffee Recall: What Consumers Need to Know

Wisconsin-based Snapchill says the voluntary recall involves its low-acid canning process and that there have been no ‘known consumer cases of botulism.’

This photomicrograph reveals the presence of numerous clostridium bacteria. Dr. Gilda Jones/US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a recall by Snapchill LLC of more than 100 coffee products over concerns that they might contain a potentially deadly toxin.

Snapchill said via the FDA announcement earlier this month that it is recalling dozens of its products because “its current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin in low acid canned foods.”

The coffee products were produced by Snapchill, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but they can be sold under different coffee roaster names.

The products include a variety of metal can sizes ranging from seven ounces to 12 ounces, according to the notice. They will have the note, “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” under the nutrition facts panel, or “Snapchill Coffee” on the label.

Story continues below advertisement

A full list of recalled products can be accessed via the FDA website. Some of the products are sold under the Bent Tree Coffee, Black Nerd, Cape Cod Coffee, Coffee Hound, Five Grounds, Lanys Coffee, QUIVR, Rusty Dog, Upshot, and other brand names.

What Is Botulism?

Botulism is a rare, serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves. Symptoms include breathing issues, paralysis, and death.

The toxins are created by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria and related ones, which are often found in improperly canned foods, officials say.

“Botulinum toxins are one of the most lethal substances known,” the World Health Organization (WHO)  says on its website, adding that “foodborne botulism, caused by consumption of improperly processed food, is a rare but potentially fatal disease if not diagnosed rapidly and treated with antitoxin.”

Symptoms of foodborne botulism can start anytime between 12 and 36 hours after the toxin is consumed, according to the Mayo Clinic. They include trouble speaking or swallowing, blurred or double vision, trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, facial weakness on both sides of the face, drooping eyelids, and paralysis.

Story continues below advertisement

Officials say that people who suspect they have botulism should seek immediate medical attention.

“Getting medical care quickly can also alert public health officials about episodes of foodborne botulism,” the Mayo Clinic says. “They may be able to keep other people from eating contaminated food. Keep in mind, though, that botulism can’t spread from person to person.”

The disease can be fatal in 5 to 10 percent of all cases, according to WHO.

The Clostridium botulinum is notably used to produce Botox, a product used in cosmetics and clinics. Treatment is administered in a medical setting. Federal officials recently issued warnings about counterfeit Botox products causing illness.

Snapchill Responds

The Epoch Times contacted Snapchill for comment. The firm released a lengthy statement to several news outlets this past week and over the weekend about the recall.

Story continues below advertisement

“Snapchill has provided a wide range of roasters nationwide with ‘Snapchill’ cold coffee since 2019, without any known consumer cases of botulism,” the statement said.

“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.”

It added that there could be the “possibility that the current manufacturing process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low acid canned foods.”

Company officials are “not aware of any instances in which the company’s products contained this pathogen ... nevertheless, Snapchill is voluntarily conducting this recall in cooperation with the FDA,” the statement said.

“At Snapchill, the safety and satisfaction of our customers are our highest priorities, and we are working swiftly to resolve the issue,” the statement said.

“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.”