The FDA issued a warning after glass particles were discovered in some lots of Dollar General’s Clover Valley Instant Coffee, which prompted a nationwide recall.
Swallowing glass can lead to serious injury, including chipped teeth, lacerations of the mouth and throat, or even intestinal perforation, the agency said.
The recall affects three specific lots of the 8-ounce Clover Valley Instant Coffee, all carrying the UPC code 876941004069. The impacted lot numbers and best-by dates are: L-5163 with a best-by date of December 13, 2026, L-5164 with the same date, and L-5165 with a best-by date of December 14, 2026. The recalled coffee was distributed in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii.
The incident was reported when a customer notified Dollar General of possible glass contamination. No injuries or illnesses were reported as of August 12. The company indicated that it was checking the origin of the contamination and has advised anyone who purchased the tainted coffee to dispose of it immediately and call the company for a complete refund.
“Dollar General Corporation is looking into the cause of the glass contamination and apologizes for any disruption caused,” the company stated in its recall notice. International SOS regional medical director Dr. Mark Fischer had before this told Newsweek that swallowing foreign objects such as glass or metal can be very risky, in some cases involving surgery to remove. He recommended that anyone who believes they have swallowed such foreign bodies seek medical help urgently.
The FDA will now conduct a hazard evaluation and decide how serious the recall is according to its system of classification. Class I recalls are undertaken when there is a reasonable chance that a product may result in serious injury or death. Class II recalls are products that may bring about transient or medically reversible harm, whereas Class III recalls are for products with no likely adverse health consequences. This coffee recall has yet to be classified.
Meanwhile, consumers are being advised not to risk it. Whether or not the jar has been opened, products that have been contaminated must be discarded to prevent danger. Dollar General has committed to collaborating with the FDA to identify where the contamination happened and to implement a system to ensure future batches are safe.
This occurrence is a reminder of vigilance regarding food safety. Although recalls are fairly routine, glass contamination is especially troubling because it can cause immediate physical injury. For coffee aficionados, it’s an annoying hassle, but as the FDA points out, preventing harm is worth taking that extra precaution.
The recall affects a product sold nationally, which means awareness is crucial in avoiding any potential injury. The FDA warning is simple: inspect your jars, search for the lot number and best-by date, and if it includes the recall list, dispose of it. Your daily morning coffee boost isn’t worth taking a trip to the hospital.
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