The recall involves 1,219 wholesale boxes of Brooklyn Roasting Company Pasteurized Cold Brew Concentrate, with each box containing a 2.5-gallon bag. The company voluntarily started the recall on July 2 after identifying a possible risk connected to ambient storage of the product.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the alert was classified as a Class II recall on July 21. This category indicates that exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, while the likelihood of serious consequences is considered remote.
Recalled Cold Brew Product Linked To Possible Clostridium Botulinum Risk
The affected product is labeled Brooklyn Roasting Company Pasteurized Cold Brew Concentrate and is sold in a 2.5-Gallon Bag-in-Box format. Customers and businesses should check for best-by codes ranging from 063026 through 093026.
The recall notice warns that “ambient storage of the product may lead to Clostridium botulinum toxin formation.” Clostridium botulinum can produce botulinum toxin, a substance that affects the nervous system and can cause botulism, a rare illness that can become life-threatening.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all forms of botulism are considered medical emergencies. Symptoms may include blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, nausea, stomach pain and breathing difficulties.
Company Reports No Illnesses Connected to the Recall
Brooklyn Roasting Company said no illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled concentrate. The company told Inc that it ordered the withdrawal “out of an abundance of caution.”
Businesses and customers who have the affected product should not serve or consume it. They should follow the company’s or distributor’s instructions for returning or safely disposing of the concentrate.
People who develop symptoms after drinking the recalled cold brew should seek immediate medical attention. Severe cases of botulism can lead to paralysis and breathing problems without urgent treatment.
Food Safety Experts Explain Why Botulism Concerns Trigger Recalls
Food safety specialists say possible botulinum toxin risks are treated with strict attention because of the potency of the substance. As reported b The US Sun, Bruno Xavier, associate director of the Cornell Food Venture Center, told Inc that “because botulinum toxin is among the most potent toxins known, the acceptable level of risk is essentially zero.”
Xavier said food companies and government agencies focus on preventing potentially unsafe products from reaching consumers. “Consumers should not be expected to identify unsafe products themselves,” he added.
Preventive controls, safety testing and regulatory oversight are designed to reduce the possibility of contaminated food and drinks entering the market. The recalled Brooklyn Roasting Company cold brew concentrate remains the focus of the company’s withdrawal process while customers and businesses are advised not to use the affected products.
