Clostridium botulinum is a dangerous, potentially fatal bacteria that can contaminate foods and drinks. When that happens, manufacturers issue recalls like the massive Lyons Magnus recall from a few months ago that triggered additional recalls. The Chai Box company has now issued a recall of its own for select products that might contain the same Clostridium bacteria. The company discovered that some of the tea drinks might have been under-processed, which contributed to the problem.
Chai Box recall
The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) press release covering this recall is available at this link.
The Chai Box company notes that it was notified of the contamination problem during a process review by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The chai products listed below might have been under-processed and may contain the Clostridium bacteria as a result.
- 16 oz glass bottles Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 7 93611 81925 2
- 64 oz plastic bottles of Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 7 93611 81926 9
- 16 oz glass bottles Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 793611819252
- 64 oz plastic bottles of Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 793611819269
The 16oz and 64oz plastic bottles of Chai products have best-by dates between September 22nd, 2022, and March 16th, 2023. The company shipped them nationwide to consumers, retailers, and wholesalers.
The Chai Box explains that the under-processing occurred during the commercial sterilization process. That could lead to contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens. When consumed, these pathogens can lead to life-threatening illnesses in some cases.
Botulism infections
Chai Box says it has received no reports of illness associated with the products from this recall. Still, there’s a risk of contracting the bacteria if you drink any of the products above.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of foodborne botulism can appear 12 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated products.
People might experience the following symptoms:
- Trouble swallowing or speaking
- Dry mouth
- Facial weakness on both sides of the face
- Blurred or double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps
- Paralysis
Moreover, the illness can cause severe complications as the botulinum toxin affects muscles. One immediate severe adverse reaction is the inability to breathe, which can lead to death. Complications also include difficulty speaking, trouble swallowing, long-lasting weakness, and shortness of breath.
What you should do
The Chai Box advises buyers to return the products in the recall to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange.
Consumers who think they’ve experienced botulism symptoms should seek urgent care, according to the Mayo Clinic. Quick treatment will increase survival chances and lower the risks of complications.
The Chai Box customers who have additional questions about the recall can contact the company. The press release at this link contains contact information and additional images of the four products in the recall.
More recall news: This produce might include human waste so check your fridge.
