FDA says dozens of coffee brands may contain paralyzing toxin that could cause ‘serious health consequences’

Coffee products recalled due to potentially deadly bacteria could have “serious adverse health consequences,” officials warn.

Last month, Wisconsin-based Snapchill LLC voluntarily recalled more than 250 of its canned coffee products over botulism concerns. a rare foodborne pathogen that attacks the body’s nerves.

The FDA, which had found problems with the company’s canning methods, has now classified the recall as Class II.

This is ‘a situation in which the use of or exposure to an inappropriate product may result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects or in which the likelihood of serious adverse health effects is remote.’

To date, no cases of illness have been reported.

The products were sold under dozens of roaster and brand names and came in a variety of sizes, ranging from seven to 12 ounces. All of the affected products had expiration dates between June 16, 2024, and April 16, 2025.

According to the FDA, the recall involves nearly 550,000 cans, which were distributed across the US and Canada.

A Class II recall is the second-worst classification from the agencies. Class I recalls involve products where “there is a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Botulism is caused by a toxin released by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This toxin is normally found in spores in soil, marine areas, and on the surface of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood.

These bacteria produce spores, which act as protective layers and are generally harmless.

However, warm, humid, oxygen-poor spaces, such as tin cans or plastic jars, can cause the bacteria to release toxins that affect the central nervous system.

The bacteria thrives in canned foods because the air is forced out of the food during the canning process, creating a favorable environment for C. botulinum to grow.

The FDA reportedly warned the coffee company after it was found to have violated regulations by failing to inform the agency that it was using a low-acid canning method.

“Since 2019, Snapchill has supplied a wide range of roasters across the country with ‘Snapchill’ cold brew coffee without any known cases of botulinum to consumers,” a company spokesperson said. Newsweek.

The CDC estimates that there are only 200 cases of botulism per year in the U.S., and only 25 of those are from food, making it extremely rare. Other causes include infections and, rarely, injecting too much botulinum toxin, which is used in Botox.

Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and difficulty moving the eyes.

Botulism can be fatal in about five to ten percent of cases. The condition is treated with antitoxins.