Tim Hortons

Good afternoon,

I am writing this letter to inform your organization of a mistake that has caused me to have a medical issue. When I enjoy a coffee, I always enter the location rather than the drive to ensure an error is not made. I am on a medication that interacts with large amounts of caffeine. I always order a decaf, and I am always clear about why. I am friendly and enjoy the service provided by the employees. I always watch the employees make sure they are grabbing the correct decanter with the orange stripe on the lid.

At this location, I have watched them top up my coffee with regular coffee. I asked the employee if this is only decaf, and they responded with the truth. They needed to top up the coffee as they did not have enough decaf to fill the cup. On other occasions, the employees can’t fill the cup and ask me if I would not mind waiting for another pot to be brewed. I am happy to stay as it is a treat when I partake in decaf coffee.

Today, I went through the usual explaining routine and watched the coffee pour from the decaf decanter. The coffee was not decaf. I know this because the interaction between my medication and the coffee I received was apparent and worrisome. I had heart palpations that lasted quite a while and have just started to ease. The symptoms are feeling your heart pound rapidly in the chest, and the heartbeat becomes irregular. This increases my respiration and gives me the feeling of a severe anxiety attack or a heart attack. This is unpleasant as I need to “ride it out.” If it worsened, I would need to seek medical attention.

This error could have caused a more severe situation if I had topped up my medication before enjoying the coffee, which was not decaf. I understand that decaf has caffeine 2-7 mg which is within a safe range, not 70-95 mg which we would find in a regular. I take every precaution within my ability.

The location is 1460 King St. East, Cambridge, ON — approximately noon today, 8/12/2023.

Regards,

Shellie Bowman

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