Nearly 700 cases of Our Family Foods’ Traverse City Cherry Decaffeinated Ground Coffee are being recalled across 15 states after regular caffeinated coffee was mistakenly packaged as decaf, creating potentially dangerous health risks for consumers who need to avoid caffeine.
Quick Takes
- The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, impacting over 4,100 packages of mislabeled coffee that contains caffeine despite being labeled as decaffeinated.
- The recall affects 15 states including Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, and others with products distributed by SpartanNash Company.
- Affected products have UPC code 0 70253 11080 1 and “BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C” marking.
- Caffeine consumption can cause serious health issues for sensitive individuals, including irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and complications with certain medications.
- The manufacturer, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, initiated the recall on March 13, but did not issue a public press release about the mislabeling.
Widespread Recall Across the Midwest and Beyond
A significant product recall is underway affecting caffeine-sensitive consumers in 15 states. Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA has recalled 692 cases (4,152 packages) of ground coffee after discovering that regular caffeinated coffee was incorrectly labeled as decaffeinated. The recall specifically targets 12-ounce bags of Our Family-branded Traverse City Cherry artificially flavored coffee, which was sold as “decaffeinated light roast ground coffee” but actually contains regular caffeine levels. The affected products bear the UPC code 0 70253 11080 1 and are marked with “BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C.”
States affected by the recall include Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The recall was officially classified by the FDA as a Class II recall, indicating that while the product is not likely to cause serious health consequences for most people, it does pose significant risks for certain individuals with caffeine sensitivity.
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 Risks for Caffeine-Sensitive Consumers
The mislabeling creates particular danger for consumers who must avoid caffeine due to medical conditions, pregnancy, or medication interactions. People with heart problems, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, and certain other health conditions are often advised to limit or eliminate caffeine from their diets. Pregnant women are typically cautioned to monitor caffeine intake, and some medications can interact negatively with caffeine, potentially creating serious health consequences.
The FDA warns that excessive caffeine consumption can cause numerous symptoms including increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, jitters, upset stomach, nausea, and headache. For those with preexisting conditions, these symptoms can be more than just uncomfortable – they could potentially trigger serious health events requiring medical attention.
Company Response and Consumer Action
Despite the scale of the recall, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA did not issue a public press release about the mislabeling problem. The recall information appears on the FDA’s official bulletin, but the lack of direct communication has left many consumers unaware of the potential risks. SpartanNash Company, which distributes the coffee under the Our Family label, has similarly provided limited guidance for consumers who may have purchased the affected product.
Our Family Foods, which describes itself as “a purpose-driven brand committed to quality and community connection,” has remained silent on the issue. When FOX Business reached out for comment, no immediate response was provided. Consumers who have purchased the affected coffee should check the UPC code and date marking to determine if their product is part of the recall. Though specific instructions for handling the recalled product were not provided, the standard procedure would be to return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it.
FDA Guidance on Caffeine Consumption
The FDA has consistently emphasized that even products marketed as “decaffeinated” may still contain small amounts of caffeine. Under normal circumstances, decaffeinated coffee typically contains between 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, compared to regular coffee which can contain 80 to 100 milligrams or more. In this recall case, however, the product contains full caffeine levels despite being labeled as decaffeinated, creating a significant disparity from what consumers would reasonably expect.
Health experts recommend that individuals with caffeine sensitivity remain vigilant about checking product labels and staying informed about recalls. For those who have purchased the affected Our Family Foods Traverse City Cherry coffee, examining the package for the specific UPC and date code is essential to determine if their product is part of the recall. The FDA continues to monitor the situation as the recall remains ongoing.
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
