Elevate Snapchill Coffee recalled over botulism concerns

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall of a canned coffee product on Friday over botulism concerns, a move that follows a similar action in the U.S.

The CFIA recall affects the Elevate Snapchill Coffee product distributed by in Canada by Alberta-based Eclipse Coffee Roaster. The product itself is made by Wisconsin-based Snapchill company in the U.S.

“The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum,” the CFIA said in a release.

The Clostridium botulinum bacteria can, under certain conditions, produce a potent neurotoxin that could lead to botulism. 

“Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” the CFIA said. “In severe cases of illness, people may die.”

The Elevate Snapchill Coffee product was voluntarily recalled in the U.S. by the company on June 17.

At the time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Snapchill’s low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with the FDA, as is required by U.S. regulation.

A CFIA spokesperson told CBC News via email that Friday’s move was “triggered when the [FDA] informed the CFIA that the affected product was distributed in Alberta.”