Coffee Recall in 15 States as FDA Sets Risk Level

A recall has been voluntarily issued for 692 cases of ground coffee, which were distributed across 15 states, after some of the products were found to be mislabeled as decaffeinated, according to an alert filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall, initiated by Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, involves 12-ounce bags of Our Family-branded Traverse City Cherry artificially flavored decaf light roast ground coffee. The product bears the UPC 0 70253 11080 1 and is marked with the code "BEST BEFORE 080325 V 15:37 C."

Newsweek contacted Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA outside of normal working hours via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The concern is due to the caffeine mislabeling, which could pose a health risk for consumers who avoid caffeine due to health conditions, pregnancy, or other medical reasons.

For people avoiding caffeine for medical reasons, such as those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or who are pregnant, accidentally consuming caffeine can lead to concerning symptoms like an irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, or other complications. Individuals taking medication that could negatively interact with stimulants may also experience adverse effects.

Those who are especially sensitive to caffeine or have quit it for health reasons might feel jittery, anxious, or experience digestive discomfort, headaches, or insomnia, especially if the coffee was consumed later in the day.

However, drinking one of the mislabeled products would have little impact for those without caffeine sensitivities or medical restrictions.

What to Know

The recall was first initiated over the phone on March 13 and formally classified by the FDA on March 25.

The FDA classified the recall as Class II, indicating that the consumption of the mislabeled coffee is not likely to cause serious health consequences, but could still pose a risk for certain people.

The coffee was distributed by the SpartanNash Company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and sold under its Our Family label, a store-brand common in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions.

The affected states include: Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as shown in the map above.

The recalling firm, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, which is based in Suffolk, Virginia, did not issue a public press release, but the product is currently listed on the FDA's official recall bulletin.

What People Are Saying

The FDA warns on its website that some decaffeinated drinks may not be caffeine-free: "Decaffeinated coffees and teas have less caffeine than their regular counterparts, but still contain some caffeine. For example, decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 milligrams in an 8 fluid-ounce cup. If you react strongly to caffeine in a negative way, you may want to avoid these beverages altogether."

It added: "Too much caffeine can cause a variety of symptoms:

• increased heart rate
• heart palpitations
• high blood pressure
• insomnia or sleep disruptions
• anxiety
• jitters
• upset stomach
• nausea
• headache

Talk with your health care professional about your caffeine consumption if you have any of these symptoms."

Dr. Luciana Torquati, a registered nutritionist and senior lecturer in nutrition at the University of Exeter, England, told Newsweek: "In children or adolescents, because their bodies are smaller than adults and more naive to caffeine, the usual effects of caffeine might be significantly amplified. This can result in increased heart rate, restlessness and anxiety, trouble sleeping, upset stomach and hyperactivity."

She added: "In pregnant people, because the body volume is increased, the rate at which caffeine is cleared from the body is slower than non-pregnant people, and there is a risk the fetus will be exposed to caffeine resulting in increased fetal heart rate. Also the increase volume of blood in pregnancy might lead to increased blood pressure, which can be further risen by ingesting caffeine above recommended doses."

Torquati said that this was also the case for people "who have high blood pressure or medical conditions that could be exacerbated by high intake of caffeine."

"Some people are particularly sensitive to caffeine, meaning they will experience palpitations, anxiety or trouble sleeping even with small doses," she told Newsweek.

What Happens Next

The recall remains ongoing.

Update 3/26/25, 11:27 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Dr. Luciana Torquati.