An urgent warning has been issued in 29 states after a brand of coconut water was recalled due to potential bacterial contamination.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated the recall for Jarritos Coconut Water 12-can cartons produced by Tipp Distributors, totaling more than two million cans and nearly 170,000 cases.
The affected product is the 17.5-fluid-ounce size, and all lot numbers have been recalled.
The issue stems from a potentially compromised seal on the cans, allowing bacteria to enter, possibly leading to botulism poisoning.
The recalled product was distributed in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Botulism can ‘paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, resulting in sudden death.’
Earlier this month, the FDA classified the recall as a Class II, indicating that ‘a product has a low chance of causing serious injury or death, but there is still a possibility of adverse health consequences.’
The agency is urging consumers to dispose of Jarritos Coconut Water and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of botulism.
The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) initiated the recall for Jarritos Coconut Water 12-can cartons, produced by Tipp Distributors, totaling more than two million cans and nearly 170,000 cases
Tipp Distributors is notifying consignees or the public of the recall by email.
The recall was initiated on November 4 and reclassified by the FDA on December 10, noting that it is still ongoing.
ConsumerLab.com said in a report: ‘Clostridium botulinum is bacterium that can cause botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
‘Symptoms include general weakness, muscle weakness, dizziness, double-vision, abdominal tension, constipation, trouble with speaking or swallowing and difficulty in breathing.’
Botulism most commonly occurs in homemade canning when food is improperly preserved.
In the past, botulism has been linked to foods like sardines, pesto, tomatoes, and pickles.
The illness does not spread from person to person, and there is no risk to the general population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: ‘In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food.
‘However, symptoms can begin as soon as 6 hours after or up to 10 days later.’
The affected product is the 17.5-fluid-ounce size, and all lot numbers have been recalled
The issue stems from a potentially compromised seal on the cans, allowing bacteria to enter, which could lead to botulism poisoning
Botulism is caused by consuming foods contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
These toxins attack the nervous system and can cause paralysis.
Earlier this year, a woman in Colorado was left paralyzed and fighting for her life after fighting a deadly bacterial infection that her friends thought she got from canned soup.
Snowboarder Claudia de Albuquerque Celada, 23, originally from Brazil, was on a work exchange program in Aspen when she started suffering dizziness, double vision, and trouble breathing.
Within 24 hours, all of the muscles in her body became paralyzed, leaving her on a ventilator.
It took about two weeks of testing before doctors determined she fell ill with botulism.
Albuquerque Celada’s sister, Luisa Albuquerque, wrote on Instagram that her sister moved to Colorado in November for her ‘dream job,’ though it’s unclear what industry she worked in.
About 15 days after purchasing the soup, Luisa said that her sister left work early as she started to feel ill. ‘She took a shower, had dinner and went to bed, but she had shortness of breath, blurred vision and dizziness,’ Luisa told Portugese outlet UOL.
‘She sent a message to her friends to go to her apartment, but they only say it in the morning.’
‘When they arrived, my sister was already much worse, she could barely breathe on her own and she had facial paralysis.’
She also suffered weak muscles, arms, and legs. Some other very weak muscles, weak arms, weak legs.
‘She went to the hospital and, soon after, she was 100 percent paralyzed,’ Luisa said.
Doctors are now optimistic about her recovery after months of therapy she has the ability to write her name and breathe for an hour with the help of a respirator.
