Carbonated ‘Good Brain Tonic’ Recalled Nationwide Over Deadly Botulism Risk

All forms of botulism can be fatal and require emergency medical care.

Published: 4/14/2026, 10:03:22 PM EDT

Carbonated ‘Good Brain Tonic’ Recalled Nationwide Over Deadly Botulism Risk — Good Brain Tonic beverage recalled over botulism risk on April 6, 2026 (FDA)

A New York company is pulling its popular carbonated health drink from shelves across the country after testing revealed a potential risk of botulism—a rare but potentially fatal form of food poisoning—in every size and all codes of the product.

Liquid Blenz Corp., based in Rockville Centre, N.Y., announced on April 6 that it is recalling all codes of its Good Brain Tonic beverage, according to a notice published on April 14 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The product—sold in 16-ounce and 32-ounce amber glass bottles with plastic caps—was distributed nationwide through retail stores and online. The 16-ounce bottle carries UPC code 860010984468, and the 32-ounce carries UPC code 860010984475.

No illnesses have been reported so far.

The botulism risk was identified through laboratory analysis conducted by the Cornell Food Venture Center, and confirmed through field testing by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspectors.

Botulism is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the body's nervous system, according to the Mayo Clinic. The toxin thrives in low-oxygen environments—such as improperly sealed bottles—and can cause symptoms including general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. In severe cases, patients may experience trouble breathing, muscle paralysis, abdominal distension, and constipation, according to the company’s recall notice.

"People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention," the company said in its announcement.

The Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin between 12 and 36 hours after a person consumes the toxin, although onset can range from a few hours to several days depending on how much was ingested. All forms of botulism can be fatal and require emergency medical care.

Other Contaminated Products

The recall comes as botulism has drawn heightened national attention in recent months. A separate nationwide infant botulism outbreak tied to ByHeart powdered baby formula ended in early 2026 after sickening 48 babies across 17 states. All 48 infants survived after being hospitalized and treated.

In that investigation, health officials documented 28 confirmed and 20 probable cases of infant botulism among babies who consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

Every infant was hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG, an intravenous medication derived from the plasma of adults immunized against botulism; the fatality rate remains at under 1 percent with modern treatment.

Regulators ultimately broadened the ByHeart recall to all of the company’s formula products after they could not rule out contamination across its production chain, and investigators reported finding 17 different strains of the botulism-causing bacteria in patient, product and ingredient samples.

Consumers who have purchased Good Brain Tonic in either size are urged to stop drinking it immediately and return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund. Those with questions can contact Liquid Blenz Corp. directly at 1-516-608-8826.