Starbucks' Vanilla Espresso Shots Are Being Recalled. Here's Why
Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee brands in the world. They operate nearly 33,000 cafes worldwide, per Knoema, brewing up drinks like the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte and Frappuccinos. They even sell pre-bottled beverages in stores so you can stock up and grab a drink on your way out the door for your morning commute.
Starbucks began selling coffee, both ground and whole beans, bagged in grocery stores back in 1998, reports Supermarket News. After success in smaller markets, they expanded their offerings across the country. Prior to that, in 1996, they had begun selling bottled drinks in stores after partnering with Pepsi Co. for production and distribution, according to the Starbucks website.
Before you drink a can of store-bought Starbucks coffee, you may want to double-check what kind you brought home. Certain Starbucks drinks are being recalled due to a contamination risk.
The drinks could have dangerous contamination
Some Starbucks drinks are being recalled after they were potentially contaminationed, reports Food Safety News. The cans could contain fragments of metal inside the drinks, which may cause injuries if consumed. The beverages being recalled are the 15-ounce Starbucks Vanilla Espresso Triple Shot canned drinks.
The affected products were sold at stores in five states: Illinois, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Arizona. The cans came in packs containing 12 cans each, and roughly 221 cases have been affected by the contamination.
The ongoing refund started on August 15, 2022, and the FDA made the announcement on September 8. It has been classified as a Class II recall — exposure can cause temporary health issues, but long-term effects are unlikely (via FDA). Customers who have purchased the affected drinks are urged not to drink them, and instead return them to the store they were purchased at for a refund.