Yes, there is a canned coffee recall in the U.S. due to botulism risk

Millions of Americans drink coffee every day to help wake them up in the morning or keep them going during the workday.

But recent online search trends show many people are wondering if there is currently a coffee recall in the United States.

THE QUESTION

Is there a coffee recall in the U.S.?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

Yes, there is a canned coffee recall in the U.S. due to potential botulism contamination.

WHAT WE FOUND

Snapchill Coffee, a Wisconsin-based company responsible for manufacturing canned coffee drinks for dozens of coffee brands and roasters in the U.S., issued a voluntary recall of nearly 300 brewed canned coffee drinks over potential botulism contamination in June. Botulism is a rare but life-threatening type of food poisoning.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the recalled coffee products were distributed nationwide through various coffee roasters and retail locations. They were also sold directly from Snapchill online. Click here to see the full list of recalled products.

A recall notice posted by the FDA on June 20 says Snapchill’s current manufacturing process could lead to the growth and production of the potentially fatal botulinum toxin, the same toxin that causes botulism, in the canned coffee drinks.

The FDA says botulism can cause general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Other common symptoms are abdominal swelling, constipation, difficulty breathing and weakness of other muscles.

Botulism symptoms can begin six hours to two weeks after eating foods or drinks that contain botulinum toxin, the FDA says. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming a canned coffee product manufactured by Snapchill should seek immediate medical attention.

The recall notice says the problem was first discovered when the FDA notified Snapchill that the required paperwork describing the company’s low-acid canned food manufacturing process was not on file with the federal agency.

Despite the danger of botulism, no illnesses have been reported as of June 26, and Snapchill says it is not aware of any confirmed cases of botulinum toxin being found in any of its drinks.

The recall affects nearly 300 separate products sold under a variety of roaster and brand names in metal can sizes ranging from 7 oz. to 12 oz. All of the affected products have the phrase “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” under the nutrition facts panel, and some have “Snapchill Coffee” on the label.

People who bought recalled cans of Snapchill Coffee should destroy them or return them to the store they were purchased from for a refund. Snapchill says it will also provide a refund for any affected products with proof of purchase and an image of the products being destroyed.

For more information about Snapchill’s refund policy, customers can email the company at any time or call 920-632-6018 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time.

The TEGNA digital team contributed to this report.