Mislabeled Mayhem: From Vodka Seltzers to Peanut Butter Crackers
Avery Sinclair here, your resident cynic ready to peel back the hype on the latest food scares. Oh, this should be entertaining.
In July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration issued an eyebrow-raising notice after a packaging supplier sent High Noon vodka seltzer cans wrapped in Celsius ASTRO VIBE energy drink labeling. The FDA’s July 30 press release makes for a great horror story: unsuspecting shoppers cracked open what they thought was a Blue Razz energy boost only to discover an alcoholic surprise. According to the agency and a statement from High Noon, “some packs contain cans filled with vodka seltzer and are mislabeled as CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition.”
Social media promptly exploded with mock outrage and memes about finding a golden “Wonka ticket” in your can. But laughter aside, unintentional alcohol ingestion can have real consequences—especially for minors or anyone avoiding booze. Both the FDA and High Noon confirmed that the mix-up stemmed from a shared packaging plant error that shipped empty energy drink cans to the seltzer bottler.
Not to be outdone, Mondelez Global LLC played its part in the recall circus earlier in July by warning consumers that certain Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches packs were mislabeled as cheese crackers. The FDA alert emphasized that although outer cartons correctly list peanuts, the inner wrappers mistakenly omitted allergen information. Per the National Library of Medicine, roughly 2 percent of Westerners face severe peanut allergies, making this blunder potentially life-threatening. Mondelez insists no illnesses were reported, but the company still urged shoppers to toss or return affected boxes “as a precaution.”
If you thought coffee was safe territory, think again. New Mexico Piñon Coffee recalled its dark roast 10-pack K-cup pods in July after discovering that the ink on the packaging could leach into brewed coffee. Their press release pleaded with purchasers to discard or return the product, noting other blends remained unaffected.
This parade of recalls isn’t new. In 2023, Starbucks and PepsiCo yanked over 25,000 cases of bottled Frappuccino drinks amid reports of possible glass fragments. Even more dramatic was the 2016 USDA alert that pulled dozens of frozen vegetable brands from shelves after potential listeria contamination hit major retailers like Kroger, Publix, Hy-Vee, Trader Joe’s, Target and Walmart.
Recalls remind consumers that brand trust can unravel at the factory line. Whether it’s booze in an energy drink can or peanuts hiding in a cheese cracker packet, your snack stash may be more thrilling than you bargained for. Stay alert, read labels—and maybe temper your expectations for perfection.
That’s today’s reality check. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Food and Drug Administration, High Noon, Mondelez Global LLC, National Library of Medicine, New Mexico Piñon Coffee, Starbucks, PepsiCo
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
