
Coffee drinkers might want to double-check their stash, New Mexico Piñon Coffee has just issued a voluntary recall of one of its most popular items, and it’s not for a minor reason.
The Dark Piñon Single Serve 10-count coffee pods are being pulled from shelves due to concerns about ink contamination. Yes, ink. The recall stems from a manufacturing issue where the clear coat seal on the lids of some of the pods wasn’t applied properly, allowing food-safe ink to run when exposed to the heat and pressure of a brewing machine like a K-Cup.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially released a notice about the recall on June 20, warning that the improperly sealed pods could cause the ink to bleed into the coffee. That’s definitely not something anyone wants in their morning brew. The issue is isolated to a single product batch: the Dark Piñon Single-Serve Cups in a 10-count box, with lot code 251749. The affected pods also have a best-by date of May 8, 2026.
The total number of possibly contaminated units is 154, according to the FDA’s statement. While it’s not a massive batch, it’s still enough to warrant caution. So far, there have been no reports of illness or injury tied to the pods, but New Mexico Piñon Coffee is recalling the product “out of an abundance of caution.” If you’ve got a box sitting on your kitchen counter or tucked into a drawer, it might be time to take a closer look.
For anyone who bought the recalled coffee pods, the company is urging customers to throw them away or return them to the retailer where they were purchased to receive a full refund. It’s not worth taking the risk, even if you haven’t noticed anything unusual, the high-pressure brewing environment could still draw out ink from the compromised lids.
This kind of recall isn’t super common, especially when it involves something like ink contamination. Most people assume their single-serve coffee pods are safe and good to go, but this issue is a reminder that even small packaging flaws can lead to safety concerns. Since K-Cup style brewers use high temperatures and water pressure, any weakness in the pod’s design, like a missing clear coat, can cause unintended reactions like ink bleeding into your drink.
The recall highlights how important packaging consistency is in food and beverage manufacturing. When seals or coatings aren’t uniformly applied, the entire batch can be affected, even if the rest of the product is fine. New Mexico Piñon Coffee, to its credit, acted quickly and responsibly to notify the public and get ahead of any potential health complaints.
So, even though this situation hasn’t led to any sickness or serious fallout, it’s a good wake-up call for consumers to stay alert. Always read your packaging, look at expiration dates, and definitely pay attention to lot numbers during recall announcements. If you’re unsure, check with the FDA’s official site or contact the manufacturer directly.
At the end of the day, your coffee should be comforting, not contaminated. So if you’ve got the Dark Piñon Single Serve 10-count box, scan it for that 251749 lot code and May 8, 2026 date. And if it matches, go ahead and toss it, or return it and grab something fresh.
