Possible underprocessing leads to recall of non-alcoholic drink mixes

Urban River Spirits, LLC is recalling Urban Spirits non-alcoholic beverage mixes because the products are produced in an unlicensed and uninspected facility and may be under-processed. Underprocessing can lead to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.

According to the letter to consumers from Urban River Spirits, LLC, unmet Oregon Department of Agriculture shelf life testing requirements have led to this recall.

About botulism
While a variety of illnesses can result from eating under-processed foods, botulism poisoning is one of the most dangerous. Left untreated, botulism can paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, which can lead to sudden death.

Anyone who has eaten a recalled product and developed signs of botulism poisoning should seek immediate medical attention, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

“For foodborne botulism, symptoms typically begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms may begin as early as 6 hours afterward or up to 10 days later,” according to the CDC website.

The symptoms of botulism may include some of the following: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. People with botulism poisoning may not show all of these symptoms at once.

These symptoms are the result of muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If the disease is not treated, it can progress and symptoms can worsen and cause paralysis of specific muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs and body from the neck to the pelvic area.

Recalled products:

• The recalled products are packaged in 750 ml glass bottles.
• Photos of recalled products may be viewed here.

At the time this recall was issued, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with these products.

Customers who may have purchased this product on or before July 2, 2024 are urged to return the product to Urban River Spirits, LLC for a full refund, or destroy the product, and may contact the company at (503) 475-9765 with any questions or concerns.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)