Ginger Beer Recall Update as FDA Issues Highest Risk Warning

A ginger beer drink recalled over possible salmonella contamination has been issued the highest risk classification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Rachel’s Ginger Beer (RGB Soda), a drinks manufacturer in Washington state, issued a voluntary recall for its “Cucumber x Tarragon Ginger Beer” product in November last year, and the FDA issued its risk warning on June 18.

Newsweek contacted RGB Soda for comment by email outside of regular working hours.

Why It Matters

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Most people infected with salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection and the illness typically lasts between four and seven days.

Most people with salmonellosis develop symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

A Class I classification represents “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.

What To Know

The affected product, “Refrigerated Cucumber X Tarragon Ginger Beer,” is a juice soda made with ginger juice.

The drinks were distributed in 5-gallon pony kegs, as well as 64oz and 32oz containers.

The impacted batches were produced on November 4 and November 25, 2024, with expiry dates between December 15, 2024, and January 6, 2025.

The kegs and containers were labeled with the product name and the manufacturing date, and sold to consumers in RGB Soda’s own stores in Washington state.

What People Are Saying

David B. Needle, an infectious disease researcher at the University of New Hampshire, told Newsweek that in this case contamination could have occurred through “accidental contamination of water used in irrigation or processing; contamination by rodents; cross contamination from being processed near poultry, beef, pork, eggs, or dairy; contamination from someone working with the product with incomplete biosecurity; or failure of complete refrigeration.”

He added: “Symptoms usually subside after four to seven days without antibiotic treatment, however some cases do require hospitalization. Symptoms of S. enteritidis in humans include fever, watery or bloody diarrhea, and some cases progressing to dysentery. Rarely, often in young, old, and immunocompromised individuals, the bacteria can leave the intestines, invade the local lymph nodes and spread to multiple organs similar to typhoidal Salmonella serotypes.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s guidance on salmonella says: “In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.”

The FDA said on its website: “Past U.S. outbreaks of salmonellosis have been associated with meat products, poultry products, raw or undercooked eggs and dough, dairy products, fruits, leafy greens, raw sprouts, fresh vegetables, nut butters and spreads, pet foods and treats.”

It added: “Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their healthcare provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble a Salmonella infection.”

What Happens Next

Consumers who purchased or were served the recalled ginger beer are advised to check with the store of purchase, and to consult their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms consistent with salmonella infection.