PropertyValue
?:author
?:datePublished
  • 2014-10-27 (xsd:date)
?:headline
  • Fireball Whisky Recall (en)
?:inLanguage
?:itemReviewed
?:mentions
?:reviewBody
  • On 27 October 2014, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter erupted in response to rumors that Fireball whisky was being recalled. Fireball whisky is a popular choice among the college set due to its low cost and relatively high alcohol content, with sales rivaling the collegiate staple of Jägermeister in recent years, and so rumors suggesting that a Fireball recall was underway sent ripples of upset across social sites. However, no news reports emerged to suggest Fireball whisky was indeed being recalled or that a recall would affect North American consumers. As it turned out, the rumor was partially true: While Fireball whisky wasn't being broadly recalled, it was the subject of recent scrutiny and a partial recall in Finland and Sweden due to the product's inclusion of propylene glycol. On 27 October 2014, Finland's national public broadcasting company YLE reported that country's liquor retail agency was recalling Fireball and offering refunds: On 26 October 2014, Radio Sweden reported Alko's Swedish counterpart Systembolaget removed Fireball whisky from shelves due to concerns over propylene glycol content. The broadcast service noted, however, Finland and Sweden's regulatory policies regarding propylene glycol are fifty times more strict than American regulations: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed propylene glycol to be generally recognized as safe when used in foods and beverages at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. European Union regulations permit the use of propylene glycol in smaller amounts. Many of the Fireball rumors state the product was recalled in Europe because it contains antifreeze, but neither statement is accurate: While Sweden and Finland temporarily restricted the sale and consumption of Fireball whisky, North American sales of the popular spirit were unaffected. Moreover, no change in Fireball whisky's composition prompted the European recalls: the move was due to differing regulatory protocols in different countries. On 28 October 2014, Fireball issued an official response to rampant web rumors about the drink's composition and recall status. In the statement, the brand explained that a logistical mix-up caused bottles intended for the North American market to be shipped to Finland. Fireball added that all formulations are safe to drink, but that the small recipe-related compliance issue prompted a temporary recall in some European countries due to minor recipe variations between the versions: As noted in the Fireball whisky statement above, not only is no US recall underway, European Fireball drinkers had the spirit back on shelves within weeks of the statement issued on 28 October 2014. (en)
?:reviewRating
rdf:type
?:url