Nearly 700 cases of Traverse City Cherry “decaffeinated” coffee have been recalled across 15 states after the FDA discovered the product may actually contain caffeine, potentially endangering vulnerable consumers.
Key Takeaways
- 692 cases (4,152 packages) of Our Family-branded Traverse City Cherry decaffeinated coffee have been recalled due to potentially containing regular caffeine levels.
- The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, indicating moderate health risks for those with caffeine sensitivity.
- Affected products have UPC 0 70253 11080 1 and “BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C” marking.
- The recall spans 15 states including Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
- Potential health risks include irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and adverse effects for those on certain medications.
Coffee Mix-Up Endangers Those Avoiding Caffeine
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA initiated the recall of 12-ounce bags of Our Family-branded Traverse City Cherry artificially flavored light roast ground coffee. The FDA officially classified the action as a Class II recall, indicating a situation where exposure to the mislabeled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. The affected product bears the UPC code 0 70253 11080 1 and is marked with “BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C.”
The coffee was distributed by SpartanNash Company under the Our Family label and sold across Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Despite the widespread distribution, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA did not issue a public press release about the recall, though the information appears on the FDA’s official recall bulletin.
Coffee recall alert! The FDA has recalled Our Family Traverse City Cherry Decaf coffee due to mislabeling—some bags may contain caffeine. Affected states: CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NC, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, WY. Check your pantry! https://t.co/8EuZNpHAyc #CoffeeNews #Recall
— Java Kidz (@javakidz24) March 28, 2025
Health Concerns for Vulnerable Consumers
The mislabeling presents serious concerns for individuals who must avoid caffeine due to health conditions, pregnancy, or specific medical reasons. Caffeine can interfere with certain medications and exacerbate health issues like heart problems, high blood pressure, and anxiety disorders. The FDA categorized this recall as Class II because while not life-threatening for most consumers, it could pose significant risks to sensitive individuals.
Symptoms of excessive caffeine consumption can include increased heart rate, palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, jitters, upset stomach, nausea, and headaches. The FDA warns that even properly labeled decaffeinated coffee typically contains small amounts of caffeine (2-15mg per cup), which is significantly less than the 80-100mg found in regular coffee.
Identifying the Affected Product
The FDA recall notice specifies that “a portion of the production…was mislabeled as decaffeinated,” affecting a total of 4,152 12-ounce packages. The recall involves only Our Family Traverse City Cherry coffee with the specific batch code and UPC mentioned above. No instructions were provided for consumers who may have purchased the mislabeled product, leaving many wondering whether to return it to stores or simply discard it.
Our Family Foods describes itself as a purpose-driven brand committed to quality and community connection. Its website states, “Our commitment to quality has remained the same, generation after generation.” The company will need to address how this mislabeling error occurred and what steps they’re taking to prevent similar issues in the future.
Sources:
Coffee Recall in 15 States as FDA Sets Risk Level
Bags of ground coffee recalled in 15 states in the US, including Illinois: FDA
Thousands of pounds of ground coffee recalled due to mislabeling error: FDA
