Andrea Innocenti In recent days, the European press has reported an incident involving a supplement based on coffee and medicinal mushrooms. A man hospitalized in Hungary for vomiting and diarrhea prompted authorities to raise the alarm, resulting in the immediate recall of a specific batch in all member states.
The case highlights the importance of monitoring products considered "natural" and purchased primarily online, where quality assurance is not always verifiable.
In Italy, the Ministry of Health has issued an official warning inviting consumers to check their packaging and return potentially dangerous units.
Recall of Coffee 2.0 batch BI0720602
The product in question is Coffee 2.0, marketed under the Tasty Dose brand . It is a 288g powder containing coffee, extracts of five medicinal mushroom species (Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake), and collagen.
The batch identified by the alert is BI0720602 with an expiration date of July 2, 2028, manufactured by Kaching doo based in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Product origin and composition
The formula combines caffeine and bioactive mushroom compounds, promising benefits for energy and concentration. However, these same components can promote the growth of mycotoxins if the drying or packaging process is not rigorous.
It is distributed through traditional channels (pharmacies and parapharmacies) and numerous international e-shops .
Reasons for medical intervention
The Hungarian man's hospitalization has been attributed to possible food poisoning . The reported symptoms—persistent vomiting, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain—are consistent with the ingestion of microbial contaminants or mycotoxins. A definitive cause has not yet been determined, but the most likely causes include contamination by aflatoxins or pesticide residues present in mushrooms.
The role of RASFF and other recent reports
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is the European Union's rapid alert tool. When Hungary reported the case, RASFF disseminated the alert in real time to all member states, allowing Italy to act within hours. The Ministry of Health's official website collects the alerts, where it is possible to check if a product is affected by a recall.
During the same period, two other reports attracted the attention of Italian authorities. One concerns moringa capsules contaminated with multi-antibiotic-resistant Salmonella , responsible for cases of gastrointestinal salmonellosis. In this case too, the RASFF issued an alert, forcing pharmacies and online stores to recall the affected batches.
Another observational study, presented at the American Heart Association, suggested an association between long-term melatonin use and an increased risk of heart failure. Although the findings do not prove causality, they have prompted authorities to recommend more cautious use of the supplement, especially in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Anyone who purchased Coffee 2.0 batch BI0720602 should immediately stop using it and not pass it on to others. You can return it to the place of purchase or contact the online seller for a refund. Authorities also recommend keeping the original packaging to facilitate batch identification.
In general, to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminated products, it is advisable to:
- To verify always expiration date and batch number before purchasing.
- Prefer supplements certified by European-recognized control bodies.
- Avoid purchasing from untraceable platforms or from private sellers without certification.
- Report any adverse effects promptly to your doctor and the appropriate authorities.
Finally, it's important to remember that "natural" is not synonymous with "safe ." Continuous institutional vigilance, combined with informed consumption, remains the best defense against contamination and food poisoning.