Health risks linked to mislabeled coffee
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled a brand of coffee grinds from 15 states due to a mislabeling issue that could pose “adverse health consequences.”
The affected coffee, Our Family Traverse City Cherry Decaf Light Roast Ground Coffee, was mistakenly marketed as decaffeinated despite containing caffeine. This poses potential health risks for individuals who avoid caffeine due to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, pregnancy, or interactions with certain medications.
Which states are impacted?
According to the FDA, hundreds of 12-ounce bags of the mislabeled coffees were distributed across 15 states, including Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Earlier this month, Our Family Traverse City Cherry Decaf Light Roast Ground Coffee reassured customers that the recall does not impact other Our Family Coffee products or different product sizes.
“We are committed to your health and safety and follow best practices to ensure the quality and safety of the products we sell,” the company stated. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
The recall applies specifically to the ‘coffee roasters’ category of Our Family Coffee with a best-before date of August 3, 2025.
Refunds and consumer guidance
The FDA classified the recall as a Class II recall, indicating “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Customers who purchased the recalled product can return it to the store for a replacement or a refund.
Meanwhile, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, the coffee’s manufacturer, has reached out to merchants and is actively monitoring the situation. However, neither SpartanNash nor the FDA has issued specific guidelines for handling the recalled product.