Popular Canned Iced Coffees Have Been Recalled Due To Botulism — Here's What To Know
If you usually get your caffeine from a can, you may want to double check your iced coffee stash. As of June 17, 2024, Snapchill LLC — a company that uses a unique method to make and package cold coffee — is recalling close to 300 products from across the United States over botulism concerns, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Snapchill works with several roasters and coffee companies to brew and package coffees and teas using the Snapchill method. Products are sold under each brand's own label. Some of the most recognizable companies on the recall list include Intelligentsia, Coffee Hound, Bolt, and Cape Cod Coffee, though there are many others. Canned teas from brands such as QUIVR and Square One Coffee are being recalled, as well. Cans of these products range in size from 7 to 12 ounces, and are identifiable by this phrase under the nutrition facts label: "Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC". Other cans have "Snapchill Coffee" printed on the front label.
Anyone who has bought a Snapchill beverage should discard the product or return it to where they bought it for a refund. Snapchill will also issue refunds directly to consumers with proof of purchase and a photograph of the product. Those with inquiries about refunds or other matters can contact the company by email at compliance@snapchill.com, or call 920-632-6018.
Has anyone gotten ill with botulism from Snapchill coffees?
There have been no reports of illness from the recalled Snapchill drinks, as of this writing. However, anyone who consumes any of these beverages and experiences general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, abdominal distension (bloating), or constipation should go to the emergency room immediately, per the FDA. Botulism is a toxin that can cause any of these symptoms, as well as potentially fatal food poisoning, according to the CDC.
Snapchill enacted this recall out of an abundance of caution. Unlike the illegal amounts of lead in Starbucks and Nestle hot chocolate mixes or the plastic in Trader Joe's soup dumplings, the botulinum toxin has not been detected by the company in any of its products. This move has more to do with the potential of botulism, since the beverages did not get an FDA filing regarding their manufacturing process.
Snapchill wrote in a statement on its website, "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 has been making products in this way since 2019, without any reported cases of illness in consumers.