Check Your Fridge: Cold Brew Concentrate Recalled Over Botulism Risk
Brooklyn Roasting Company has recalled its Pasteurized Cold Brew Concentrate over concerns the product could pose a botulism risk, the FDA announced this week.
The recall covers products with best-by dates ranging from June 3 through Sept. 3, 2026, distributed in New York and New Jersey between April 1 and June 20. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after the company determined the concentrate may have been stored under ambient, or room-temperature, conditions rather than refrigerated, conditions that can allow Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism, to grow and produce a dangerous toxin.
An FDA report dated July 21 indicates the company withdrew 1,219 units of the concentrate, each containing 2.5 gallons and packaged as "bag in a box," amounting to roughly 3,047.5 gallons of product. The recall has been classified by the FDA as a Class II recall, meaning the probability of serious adverse health consequences is considered remote, though temporary or medically reversible health effects remain possible. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled product.
What to Do if You Have It
Consumers who purchased the affected cold brew concentrate are urged not to consume it and to either dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase. Brooklyn Roasting Company said it voluntarily notified affected accounts and the public about the recall.
It's worth noting that specific lot numbers or UPC codes for the recalled bags have not been made publicly available in the company's communications, which means consumers who purchased the concentrate in bulk during the spring or early summer may have limited ways to confirm whether their product falls within the affected window beyond checking the best-by date and confirming they purchased it in New York or New Jersey during the specified time frame.
Understanding the Risk
Botulism is a rare but serious illness that attacks the nervous system and can be life-threatening if untreated. According to the CDC, symptoms of foodborne botulism typically appear within 12 to 36 hours of exposure and can include trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing, along with blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Anyone who consumed the recalled product and experiences these symptoms is advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Brooklyn Roasting Company, which describes itself as one of New York's longest-standing coffee roasters serving hundreds of wholesale accounts across the city's five boroughs, has not yet responded to requests for further comment on the recall.
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