Coffee is a popular beverage enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. It is a blend of science, culture, and tradition rather than just a morning ritual. From its early origin in Ethiopia to its current status as a worldwide commodity, coffee has grown into a drink that crosses borders and brings people together. Let’s dive into the details of coffee recall 2024.
In recent years, the demand for cold coffee and specialty coffee items has grown rapidly. Snapchill LLC is one of the companies leading the way in this trend. It is known for its unique approach to cold coffee and the brewing process. Snapchill gained an image for providing a tasty and refreshing experience by quickly chilling freshly made coffee. But recently, Snapchill faced a major challenge that disrupted its operations. It has raised serious concerns among customers.
In June 2024, Snapchill LLC initiated a voluntary recall of all its canned coffee products. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated this recall. It highlighted the importance of following safety laws in food and beverage production.
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About Snapchill LLC
Dave Dussault prefers his coffee cooled but not watered down. He also dislikes cold brew, which he believes destroys complex flavors. Thus, the MIT-trained thermal engineer made a vow to improve his coffee a few years ago. He founded Snapchill in Watertown in 2019 after three months of research to find the best hot and cold brews.
The process involves brewing the coffee hot and then quickly reducing the temperature from above 200 degrees to just above freezing. Dussault claims that the technology used is much the same as that used in refrigerators.
Even after four years, coffee drinkers are still unaware of Snapchill. This is because it is offered under the brands of Boston-area roasters. It includes George Howell Coffee, Fazenda Coffee Roasters, and Broadsheet Coffee Roasters. When compared to the 300 roasters that it works with, the Snapchill name is a minor detail.
Snapchill collaborations are also available in various grocery stores in the area. But Bosshardt stated that they plan to expand to Walmart by 2023. “By mid-2024, we’ll be all over the place, representing our region with a variety of roasters from across the nation,” Bosshardt stated.
The company has now issued a voluntary recall of its canned coffee goods due to suspected botulinum toxin contamination. The FDA raised major public health concerns. It’s due to Snapchill’s incorrect manufacturing technique for low-acid canned foods.
What is botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious form of food poisoning. It is caused by the botulinum toxin, which is formed by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The allergen targets the body’s nerves, resulting in muscle paralysis. It also troubles breathing and, in severe cases, death. Botulism symptoms may begin as soon as six hours after eating infected food, although they can last for up to two weeks.
Common symptoms include:
1. Severe weakness and dizziness.
2. Double vision and drooping eyelids
3. Slurs in speech and trouble swallowing
4. Abdominal distention and constipation
Botulism is treated as a medical emergency. It’s because of its rapid growth and possible severity. Anyone experiencing symptoms after taking a product that may have been infected with botulinum toxin should seek medical help immediately.
Details of the recall
The recall was issued after the FDA informed Snapchill that it hadn’t filed its manufacturing procedure for low-acid canned foods. Low-acid foods, such as canned coffee items, are more vulnerable to botulism. It’s because the conditions in these foods promote the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Though there have been no confirmed cases of illness, the recall was still issued as a precaution.
The recall impacts nearly 300 products distributed nationwide under many coffee roaster names. The affected products are sold in metal cans ranging from 7 to 12 ounces. They can be identified by the text “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” below the nutrition facts panel. Some products may also carry the “Snapchill Coffee” label.
An overview of the brands and products affected is given below:
Some affected brands
- Big Mouth Coffee: Varieties include Nicaragua, Nicolas, and Angela.
- Cape Cod Coffee: Varieties include coconut, French vanilla, and hazelnut.
- Five & Hoek: Varieties include Honduras, Biru Bekele, and Luis Guzman.
- New Hampshire Coffee Roasters: Varieties include Italian, Costa Rican Tarrazu, and Coconut.
- Wild Goose Coffee: Varieties include Blue River Blend and Red Line Draft Latte.
Complete list of affected products
- Alchemy Roasting: Elixir Of Life
- Appalachia Coffee: Kentucky Black Gold
- Bent Tree Coffee: Squirrel Blend, Autumn Blend, Colombia Sotara, Ethiopia
- Black Nerd: Colombia, Dark Matter, Ethiopia, The Golden Ratio
- Bolt Coffee: Delki Guarero, Mass Appeal
- Cafe Ammi: 109 Blend
- Carrier: Bright, Nitro, Sweet
- Copper Horse: Carriage House Blend, Seahorse Blend
- Dayglow: Decadent, Juicy
- Eclipse Coffee Roasters: Elevate
- Electro Brew Coffee Co.: Vanilla, Caramel
- Fire Grounds: Guts Over Fear, American Tradition, Full Send
- Five Star Roasters: Nitro
- George Howell: Daterra Sundrop, Chelbessa, Monte Carlos, Worka Chelbessa
- Heady Cup: Monkshood
- Helm: Black Coffee, Black Nitro, Maple Nitro Latte
- Intelligentsia: Black Cans, Chicago Distance Series
- Joe Bean: Nitro
- Kaldi’s: Classic Black
- Lanna Coffee: Original
- Larry’s Coffee: Black, Decaf, Ethiopia, Mocha, Sweet
- Madcap Coffee: Flash, Flash Maple Leaf
- Metric: Garmas Gesha Single Origin, Deri Kadame Natural, Benjamin Paz
- Perkatory: Solstice, New England Snapchill, Three Witches Brew
- QUIVR: Golden Black, Hibiscus, Jade Oolong, Jasmine, Jasmine Green
- Rockford Coffee: Morning Glory, Narino Arbuleda
- Saltwater: Colombia, Ethiopia
- Sepia Coffee: Grand Trunk, Northstar Lodge
- Snapchill: Snapchill Coffee (various varieties)
- Wild Goose Coffee: Blue River Blend, Red Line Draft Latte
Steps for customers
To know if your canned coffee is part of the recall, look for the phrase “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC.” It will be available beneath the nutrition facts panel. Some products may also say “Snapchill Coffee” on the label. If you find these on your coffee cans, they are likely part of the recall. Then, it should be handled accordingly.
If you have any of the recalled products, the FDA advises the following steps:
- Do not consume: Do not drink the coffee. Consuming products contaminated with botulinum toxin can be extremely dangerous.
- Dispose of the product: Safely dispose of the product to prevent any accidental consumption.
- Return for a refund: Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Snapchill offers full refunds for these products with proof of purchase. This includes a photo of the product being disposed of.
- Contact Snapchill for help: For any questions or concerns, customers can contact Snapchill directly via email or by phone.
Snapchill’s response and future actions
In reaction to the recall, Snapchill regretted any issues given to customers. It pointed out its dedication to resolving the issue. A spokesperson for Snapchill stated:
“Snapchill has been providing ‘Snapchill’ cold coffee to a wide range of roasters nationwide since 2019. We have no recorded botulism cases among customers. Yet, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed Snapchill that the low-acid canned food procedure used to manufacture the recalled products wasn’t filed with the FDA. It is required by regulation.”
“There is a chance that the current manufacturing process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulinum toxin, in low-acid canned foods. No illnesses have been reported. Also, Snapchill is not aware of any cases in which the company’s products contained this pathogen. Yet, Snapchill is voluntarily conducting this recall in cooperation with the FDA.”
“At Snapchill, the safety and satisfaction of our customers are our top priorities. We are working very hard to resolve the issue. We sincerely apologize for any concern this recall may cause. We are working with the FDA on solutions to resume production within standards.”
As a result, the company is actively working on filing the required notification with the FDA. It plans to resume manufacturing once it has ensured safety compliance.
Regulatory and public health oversight
In the food and beverage industry, regulatory supervision is vital. It is made clear due to this recall. The FDA is responsible for observing and enforcing safety standards to protect public health. In this case, the FDA’s finding of a flaw in Snapchill’s production process for low-acid canned goods led to the recall. It is perhaps avoiding serious negative health effects.
The most important things to know for customers are:
- Always check for recall alerts. Confirm that the products you purchase are impacted.
- Stay updated on food safety practices as well as the risks involved with various kinds of food processing.
- Help with public health monitoring and response activities. Report any signs of a foodborne illness to health authorities.
Conclusion
The Snapchill coffee recall in 2024 serves as a clear signal of the possible risks involved with food and beverage products. It also explains the value of strict safety standards. The precautionary recall shows the need to prevent foodborne infections like botulism. Despite this, no cases have been reported.
Customers should destroy any affected goods and contact Snapchill for a refund or more information. Snapchill is working to fix the issue and comply with FDA standards. However, the recall highlights the more urgent need for transparency and compliance in food manufacturing procedures. This is done to assure customer safety.
Customers can find more information and updates on the FDA’s website. If they have questions about the recalled items, they should contact Snapchill.
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