Posted in Heineken NV, Press Releases

Heineken: Voluntary Partial Recall Of Certain Mexican Beers

Defect Detected in 12-Ounce Brown Bottles for Six Packs and 12 Packs of Carta Blanca and Dos Equis Ambar as well as “Beers of Mexico” and “Best of Mexico” Pack Types

White Plains, N.Y. — April 11, 2012 — HEINEKEN USA today announced a voluntary recall of several products and packages in specific states due to a defect in the 12-ounce brown bottles used for certain batches of Carta Blanca and Dos Equis Ambar, which are available in 6-packs and 12-packs as well as “Beers of Mexico” and “Best of Mexico” pack varieties. Indio 12-ounce bottles, which are only featured in the “Best of Mexico” pack (available only in Texas), are also affected.

Dos Equis Lager green bottles and draught; Dos Equis Ambar draught; Tecate; and Carta Blanca 32-ounce bottles are not impacted nor are any other HEINEKEN USA brands.

The affected bottles were produced by a third party supplier and the defect was detected through our routine quality inspections. Due to this defect, there is the potential for small grains or particles of glass to separate from the inside lip of the bottle and fall into the liquid. The pieces may vary in size and some may not be easily visible.

Although it is believed that the number of affected bottles is significantly less than 1%, to protect the safety of our consumers, the company has made the decision to voluntarily recall certain batches of products as a precautionary measure. There have not been any reports of consumer injuries, and while the likelihood of a possible injury to a consumer is very low, the presence of small particles of glass in the bottle could pose a health risk.

The affected products include:

  • Carta Blanca 12-ounce brown bottles in 6-packs and 12-packs
  • Dos Equis Ambar 12-ounce brown bottles in 6-packs and 12-packs
  • “Best of Mexico” 12-pack variety package (which contains the impacted Dos Equis Ambar brown bottle and Indio 12-ounce bottles; this pack is sold only in Texas)
  • “Beers of Mexico” 12-pack and 24-pack variety packages (which contains the impacted Dos Equis Ambar brown bottle)

The above products are being recalled only in certain states. Please refer to the list of geographies impacted as well as the production codes below.

Affected Product by State

PACKAGE Dos Equis Ambar
(6-pk;12-pk)
Carta Blanca
(6-pk;12-pk)
Beers of Mexico
(12-pk)
Beers of Mexico
(24-pk)
Best of Mexico
(12-pk)
State 1. AL
2. AR
3. AZ
4. CA
5. CO
6. CT
7. DC
8. FL
9. GA
10.IA
11.IL
12.IN
13.KS
14.KY
15.LA
16.MA
17.MD
18.MI
19.MN
20.MO
21.MS
22.NC
23.ND
24.NE
25.NH
26.NJ
27.NM
28.NV
29.NY
30.OH
31.OK
32.OR
33.PA
34.RI
35.SC
36.SD
37.TN
38.TX
39.VA
40.VT
41.WA
42.WI
43.WV
1. AL
2. CA
3. CO
4. CT
5. FL
6. GA
7. IL
8. KY
9. LA
10.MD
11.MN
12.MO
13.NC
14.NE
15.NJ
16.NM
17.OH
18.OK
19.PA
20.TX
21.WA
1. AZ
2. CA
3. WA
4. OR
1. AL
2. AZ
3. CA
4. FL
5. GA
6. IL
7. LA
8. MI
9. MO
10.NH
11.NY
12.OR
13.PA
14.TX
15.VA
16.WA
1. TX

Affected Production Codes (refer to first nine digits of the 13 digit code on the bottle)

1. 2068484AC
2. 2069484AC
3. 2070484AC
4. 2071484AC
5. 2072484AC
6. 2073484AC
7. 2074484AC
8. 2075484AC
9. 2076484AC
10.2077484AC
11.2078484AC
12.2079484AC
13.2080484AC
14.2081484AC
15.2082484AC
16.2083484AC
17.2084484AC
18.2085484AC
19.2086484AC
20.2087484AC
21.2088484AC
22.2089484AC
23.2090484AC
24.2091484AC
25.2092484AC
26.2093484AC
27.2094484AC
28.2095484AC
29.2096484AC
30.2097484AC
31.2098484AC
32.2099484AC
33.2100484AC
34.2068484FE
35.2069484FE
36.2070484FE
37.2071484FE
38.2072484FE
39.2073484FE
40.2074484FE
41.2075484FE
42.2076484FE
43.2077484FE
44.2078484FE
45.2079484FE
46.2080484FE
47.2081484FE
48.2082484FE
49.2083484FE
50.2084484FE
51.2085484FE
52.2086484FE
53.2087484FE
54.2088484FE
55.2089484FE
56.2090484FE
57.2091484FE
58.2092484FE
59.2093484FE
60.2094484FE
61.2095484FE
62.2096484FE
63.2097484FE
64.2098484FE
65.2099484FE
66.2100484FE
67.2086484FE
68.2086484FE

“Our passion is to consistently deliver high-quality beer to our consumers, whose health and safety is our first priority,” said Dolf van den Brink, President and CEO of HEINEKEN USA. “We deeply regret this incident and are doing everything possible to resolve it quickly so that our consumers can continue to enjoy these products. We want every experience with one of our products to be flawless.”

Consumers should check to see if they have affected product by comparing the first nine digits of the 13-digit production code on the neck of the bottle against the list of impacted product codes above. Please refer to the visuals for further assistance in locating the production code.

Consumers who have product on this list should not consume it nor should they allow others to consume it. Anyone who has consumed beer from an affected bottle and becomes ill or shows signs of complications should see a physician immediately.

Consumers can obtain more information at www.heinekenusa.com, by calling 1-877-522-5001 or by emailing [email protected]. Refunds will be offered for affected product to consumers 21 years of age or older. In order to receive a refund, consumers will be asked to provide their date of birth, name, address, phone number and email. Refunds will be issued in approximately two to four weeks.

For more information, please visit www.heinekenusa.com.

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About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. HEINEKEN USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For a safe ride home, download the HEINEKEN USA -sponsored Taxi Magicâ„¢ application from your smartphone at taximagic.heineken.com. Please visit www.EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.