FDA Announces Recall of Over 300 Canned Coffee Brands

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Facts

  • The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of canned coffee produced by Wisconsin-based Snapchill LLC, responsible for producing nearly 300 brands, over concerns regarding the potential presence of an illness-causing toxin in their products.1
  • Snapchill approached the FDA and requested a voluntary recall due to a risk of food poisoning stemming from their manufacturing process, which the FDA says could lead to the growth of botulinum, the toxin which causes botulism.2
  • Botulism is a food-borne illness that is potentially fatal, with symptoms including dizziness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, and stomach swelling.3
  • According to the recall announcement, the issue came to light after the FDA notified Snapchill that it had not informed them of its manufacturing process for low-acid canned foods. No illnesses from Snapchill products have been reported.4
  • While the affected brands total nearly 300, those included in the recall will display 'produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC.' Customers in possession of the recalled product are eligible for a refund.4

Sources: 1The Hill, 2NewsNation, 3FOX News and 4USA Today.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Food Safety News. The US needs to streamline food inspections by creating a single agency responsible for it. Overlapping responsibilities between the FDA and entities such as the US Department of Agriculture have resulted in a patchwork system that is ineffective and not science-based. While dairy and meat are subject to constant inspections, foodstuffs under the FDA's purview are typically not, for instance. This food inspection issue must be addressed.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Reason.com. US food manufacturers are suffering under a bloated FDA that creates capricious regulations. Since we live in a free market, food companies have every incentive to sell an unadulterated product, and it should be noted that Snapchill called for a recall without government intervention. The mess of non-sensical regulations food manufacturers suffer under is simply unnecessary given the nature of consumer preference.