Missouri wines may pose a 'danger of exploding,' officials warn
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMOX) – Six types of bottled wine from Eldon, Missouri winery Casa de Loco are at risk of exploding, and should not be consumed, the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control said in a statement Thursday.
The ATC warns consumers that bottles of the following Casa de Loco wines should be immediately secured in a safe location to prevent injury if it explodes: Applesauced, Bellini Gold, Coming in Hot, Kona Lover Port, OCD, and Peachy Thoughts.
The ATC is aware that the bottles were distributed in the following Missouri locations: Camdenton, Glasgow, Keytesville, Lebanon, Newburg, Osage Beach, Salisbury, St. Joseph, St. Robert, Stoutland, Sunrise Beach, Warsaw, and Wright City. However, the winery may also have been distributed directly to consumers at events.
ATC discovered the issues as a result of a routine inspection. After confiscating unregistered wine that was being distributed, a bottle exploded in an ATC evidence storage room. When ATC contacted retailers, it learned of additional explosions, as well as Casa de Loco wine bottles spontaneously breaking and leaking.
According to the ATC, “Casa de Loco never submitted these wines for product brand registration, which includes review and product evaluation, as required by Missouri law.”
“We are continuing to investigate, however, it’s important that anyone who has these unregistered Casa de Loco products take immediate action to prevent injury,” ATC State Supervisor Dorothy Taylor said in the statement.
The ATC asks consumers or retailers who have been affected by one of the Casa de Loco wines to report the incident and the location from which the wine was purchased. The number to call is (573) 751-2964.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is also investigating Casa de Loco for potential health and sanitation violations at its Eldon manufacturing premises, the statement reported.
ATC is conferring with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. In addition, DHSS is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Casa de Loco has informed ATC that it will be removing the products from retailers.
