October 16, 2026 — A consumer reported discovering glass fragments in their mouth after opening and sipping a bottle of Kombucha 221 B.C. The incident highlights a potential safety hazard involving chipped glass bottle rims and the risk of ingesting sharp materials.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On September 18, 2026, a consumer purchased a bottle of Kombucha 221 B.C. from Publix. Immediately after opening the glass bottle and taking a sip of the beverage, the consumer detected and found glass fragments in their mouth. Upon inspecting the bottle, it was observed that the rim was chipped, specifically in the area where the cap threads onto the bottle. Further investigation by the consumer revealed that twisting the cap caused additional glass fragments to chip off, indicating a potential weakness or defect in the bottle’s design or manufacturing process.
Safety Concerns
The presence of glass fragments in a consumable product like kombucha poses several severe safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: Ingestion of glass can lead to serious injuries to the mouth, throat, esophagus, and internal digestive organs. These injuries can include severe cuts, lacerations, and internal bleeding, potentially requiring emergency medical attention and surgical intervention. There is also a significant risk of choking if larger glass fragments are swallowed.
- Long-Term Risks: If glass particles are ingested, they can cause ongoing irritation, inflammation, and potential perforations within the digestive tract, leading to chronic pain, infections, and other severe health complications that may not be immediately apparent.
- Who Might Be Affected: Any individual consuming the product is at risk, particularly vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly who may not detect foreign objects as readily or have more fragile internal tissues.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary concern is personal injury, a defective bottle could also potentially shatter during handling, causing damage to surfaces or surrounding items, though this was not the primary issue in this report.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own or have purchased Kombucha 221 B.C. in glass bottles, especially from Publix, please take the following precautions:
- Immediately Stop Consumption: If you discover glass fragments or any foreign object in your beverage, cease consumption immediately and do not attempt to finish the drink.
- Carefully Inspect Bottles: Before opening or consuming, thoroughly inspect the rims of all Kombucha 221 B.C. glass bottles you may have. Look for any chips, cracks, or irregularities, particularly around the threaded area where the cap seals.
- Handle with Caution: Always handle glass bottles with care, especially when twisting off or putting on caps, to minimize the risk of chipping or breakage.
- Do Not Use Damaged Bottles: Discard any bottles that show signs of damage, chipping, or cracking. Do not attempt to repair or remove loose glass fragments.
- Retain Product and Packaging: If you experience a similar incident, retain the affected bottle, its cap, any remaining contents, and proof of purchase as evidence. Document the damage with clear photographs.
- Report the Incident: File a detailed incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. Additionally, contact Mad at S.A.D. LLC dba Kombucha 221 B.C. directly to inform them of your experience.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you suspect you have ingested glass or experience any symptoms of injury (e.g., pain, bleeding, difficulty swallowing), seek immediate medical attention.
Manufacturer’s Response
On October 8, 2026, Mad at S.A.D. LLC dba Kombucha 221 B.C. provided a response to the incident. The manufacturer stated that they received and thoroughly investigated the consumer complaint in accordance with their established complaint investigation and quality procedures. Their investigation included a review of relevant manufacturing, inspection, and quality records. Based on their findings, corrective and preventive actions were identified and implemented to address the issue and strengthen existing controls. The manufacturer affirmed that they have taken appropriate measures to help prevent recurrence and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these corrective actions through their established quality systems. They reiterated that consumer safety and product quality remain our priorities.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.