Dollar General Recalls Clover Valley Coffee After Possible Glass Contamination Across 48 States
Maya Rivers here, scribbling in the margins of a grocery aisle, where the ordinary becomes oddly poetic and cautionary: a jar of instant coffee, meant to comfort, may contain shards of danger.
A customer complaint set a chain of practical events into motion on August 12, when Dollar General Corporation issued a recall for specific eight-ounce units of its Clover Valley instant coffee due to the potential presence of glass fragments, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall affects product sold in 48 continental states, excluding Hawaii and Alaska, and covers three production lots identifiable by lot numbers printed around the jar neck and a shared UPC of 876941004069.
The affected lots are listed as L-5163 with a best-by date of December 13, 2026; L-5164 with the same December 13, 2026 date; and L-5165 with a best-by date of December 14, 2026. Dollar General confirmed in a statement that it is actively investigating the source of the contamination and expressed regret for any inconvenience, while the FDA emphasized the health risk: ingesting glass fragments can cause dental damage, cuts to the mouth and throat, or even intestinal perforation.
It is worth noting, in a tone both sober and slightly bemused, that no injuries or illnesses tied to these lots have been reported so far. The recall was triggered after a concerned customer brought the issue to the attention of Dollar General employees, which prompted the retailer to notify the FDA and begin the recall process.
This Clover Valley recall arrives amid a recent flurry of high-profile food and drink recalls earlier this summer. In July, Mondelez Global LLC pulled certain RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches after a labeling error risked exposing peanut-allergic consumers to peanut-containing products mislabeled as cheese; the company warned of potentially life-threatening allergic reactions for those with severe peanut sensitivity. Also in July, Celsius recalled two production lots of its ASTRO VIBE™ Energy Drink Sparkling Blue Razz Edition after discovering mislabeled shipments involving alcoholic hard seltzers, and New Mexico Piñon Coffee issued a recall for a dark roast K-Cup pack when ink from packaging risked contaminating brewed cups.
These incidents highlight an uncomfortable truth about modern food supply chains: even shelf-stable staples can be vulnerable to mechanical, packaging, or procedural errors. Retailers and manufacturers are increasingly reliant on fast detection and transparent communication to prevent harm, and regulatory active oversight by the FDA remains a key line of defense when consumer reports surface.
Practical guidance for shoppers: check the neck area of your Clover Valley instant coffee jars for lot numbers L-5163, L-5164 or L-5165 and the UPC 876941004069. If you find a match, do not consume the product. Dollar General advises returning the item to the store for a refund; consumers can also contact Dollar General customer service or consult the FDA recall notice for further instructions. Keep receipts and packaging information handy when seeking a refund.
There is poetry, perhaps, in the smallness of the thing that forced the recall—a customer’s attentive glance—but the consequences are tangible. The episode underscores the role of vigilant shoppers and responsive retailers in keeping the food ecosystem safe, and it asks a quiet question: how much do we trust the jars on our shelves?
Close your eyes, imagine the hiss of hot water meeting powder, and remember to check the label before you stir. The caffeine can wait; safety should not.
And so this jar’s story folds into the ledger of recalls: a minor drama today, a reminder to be attentive tomorrow.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dollar General Corporation, E! Online
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
