Tribune: A sobering reminder for tax season fuel


Tax pros powered by Celsius energy drinks during busy season should exercise some caution — they might accidentally get more of a buzz than they bargained for. 

In late July 2025, High Noon issued a voluntary recall after discovering that some of its vodka seltzers were accidentally labeled as Celsius Astro Vibe energy drinks. The packaging mix-up occurred when a supplier mistakenly shipped empty Celsius cans to High Noon’s production facility, where they were filled with 4.5% ABV vodka seltzer instead of caffeine-fueled energy drink. 

The mislabeled cans — featuring a silver lid instead of the standard black Celsius lid — were distributed to retailers in Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin between July 21–23. While no illnesses have been reported, the FDA warned that consumption of these products could lead to unintentional alcohol ingestion. 

For tax professionals who depend on energy drinks to power through marathon filing sessions, this recall serves as a cautionary tale. Imagine reaching for what you think is your afternoon energy boost, only to discover you’ve been sipping vodka seltzer all day. Your work product might become decidedly more … creative.  

The affected lot codes can be found on the FDA website, but the key identifier is simple: If your Celsius has a silver lid, don’t drink it unless you’re planning to make estimated tax payments significantly less stressful (though significantly less accurate).  While this particular recall affects a small batch of products, it’s a good reminder that even in the midst of tax season chaos, it pays to double-check what you’re consuming. After all, the only thing that should be intoxicating about tax work is the thrill of finding that last missing W-2.