Food safety recall round-up 15-21 September 2017
Botulism risk in nitrogen-infused coffee
US: Death Wish Coffee Co. has recalled its 11-oz Death Wish Nitro Cold Brew cans due to a risk of Clostridium botulinum.
The firm has stopped production of Nitro Cold Brew until an additional step in the production process, recommended by a team from Cornell University, is implemented.
Death Wish has tested the shelf life, stability and safety of the Nitro Cold Brew coffee for almost four months with Cornell and a recommendation has been made to add a further step in the manufacturing process.
"Nitrogen-infused coffee is a fairly new process, in which at the moment, there are few federal standards and regulations through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)," said the company.
"With any nitrogen-based products on the market, there is a remote possibility of the risk of Clostridium botulinum, a serious pathogen that can lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulin, in low acid foods commercialized in reduced oxygen packaging."
Cans have been removed from the company’s online store and from shelves at Price Chopper/Market 32, Healthy Living Market & Café, and independent retailers. No illnesses have been reported.
Mike Brown, founder/owner of Death Wish Coffee, said it has passed all FDA and state inspections since it was founding.
"Our customers’ safety is of paramount importance and Death Wish Coffee is taking this significant, proactive step to ensure that the highest quality, safest, and of course, strongest coffee products we produce are of industry-exceeding standards.
"We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause our customers and our retail partners, but we believe this is the right precautionary measure to take."