Death Wish Coffee Issues Recall on RTD Line

Death Wish Coffee on Wednesday issued a recall of its first RTD nitro cold brew production batch this week after a peer review showed their canning process could potentially lead to the growth of clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism.

According to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall statement, “Death Wish in conjunction with an outside Process Authority has determined that the current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulin, in low acid foods commercialized in reduced oxygen packaging.”

Speaking to BevNET, founder and CEO Mike Brown said he made the decision to issue the recall himself. The company had sent its recently launched the 11 oz. canned product out for testing at Cornell University where, for 14 weeks, weekly results showed the product as safe. However, after the University sent the results out for independent review, safety inspectors found that the production process for the nitrogen-infused product did not fully address the potential for bacteria growth. According to the review, the low-oxygen environment created by the nitrogen could lead to the presence of botulinum.

According to the FDA, there have been no reported incidents of consumers feeling ill after consuming Death Wish nitro cold brew.

“Everyone loves the product, but there is that small risk,” Brown told BevNET. “Because of that slight risk we decided to take it off the shelf.”

As of now, production of the line has been halted. Brown said the company intends to move to a retort process for its next batch and that the company is in the process of acquiring the necessary equipment to make the switch. He said he hopes to have the product back on stores shelves in Q1 of 2018, providing he has assurance that there is no health risk to consumers.

Death Wish, which has dubbed itself the “World’s Strongest Coffee” with upwards of 700mg of caffeine per serving, began business as a coffee shop in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in 2012. The company currently sells ground coffee and Keurig pods. The RTD nitro cold brew line launched earlier this year and was sold online through the company’s own e-commerce platform and was available in 130 stores in upstate New York and Connecticut, including Price Chopper/Market 32, Healthy Living Market and Cafe, and several independent retailers.

Only the RTD line is affected by the recall.

All cans from the production line on shelves have been bought back, isolated, and are slated for destruction. The company has advised consumers to throw away any cans in their possession.

Customers who purchased the product in stores are asked to bring proof of purchase back to the stores for a refund. However, those who bought the product online direct from Death Wish will be receiving a check for a full refund in the mail within the next 60 days. Brown said the company has their information on record and that consumers do not need to do anything, as all orders are being refunded.

Brown said it’s too early to know how the brand will market itself upon the nitro cold brew line’s eventual relaunch, but indicated that the company’s most loyal customer base has not been put off by the recall.

“We are safety first all the time,” he said. “We’ll take the hit as long as everyone is safe and enjoying the product.”