Coffee Recall Issued Due to Caffeine Mislabeling in Multiple States

Grand Rapids, Michigan — Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA has voluntarily recalled 692 cases of ground coffee distributed across 15 states after some products were found mislabeled as decaffeinated, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recall affects 12-ounce bags of Our Family-branded Traverse City Cherry artificially flavored decaf light roast ground coffee. The affected products display a UPC of 0 70253 11080 1 and a code reading “BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C.” The recall was initiated on March 13 and was formally classified by the FDA on March 25.

The FDA classified the recall as Class II, which indicates the consumption of the mislabeled coffee is not likely to result in severe health consequences but could still pose risks for certain individuals. This is particularly concerning for consumers who avoid caffeine due to health conditions, pregnancy, or specific medical issues.

Dr. Luciana Torquati, a nutritionist at the University of Exeter, noted the health implications for those sensitive to caffeine. “Accidentally consuming caffeine can lead to symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, or other complications. This risk is especially acute for those with heart conditions or who are pregnant,” she said.

For individuals who are particularly sensitive to caffeine or who have ceased consumption for health reasons, adverse effects could include jitters, anxiety, and insomnia. However, Dr. Torquati mentioned, “For those without caffeine sensitivities or restrictions, consuming the mislabeled coffee may have little impact.”

The coffee was distributed by the SpartanNash Company, which operates in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions. The affected states are Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A spokesperson for SpartanNash provided an official statement regarding the recall:

“Our top priority is the safety of our consumers. We issued the recall on March 13 immediately after being notified by our supplier that the product had been mislabeled. All recalled product was already removed from store shelves and destroyed prior to the FDA’s classification of the recall earlier this week.”

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, headquartered in Suffolk, Virginia, has not issued a public press release regarding the recall, but the product details are available on the FDA’s official recall list.

On its website, the FDA warns that some decaffeinated drinks may still contain caffeine, stating, “Decaffeinated coffees and teas have less caffeine than their regular counterparts, but still contain some caffeine.”

According to the FDA, an 8 fluid-ounce cup of decaf coffee typically contains between 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine. Consumers with medical conditions exacerbated by caffeine should consult health care professionals about their caffeine consumption.

“In children or adolescents, the effects of caffeine can be significantly amplified,” Torquati added. “It may result in increased heart rate and anxiety, trouble sleeping, and hyperactivity.”

The ongoing recall has raised awareness about product labeling and consumer health safety.