PepsiCo, the company that makes Gatorade, is recalling about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in four flavors because the bottles contain yellow dyes that are not listed on the label. The flavors are Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero, and anyone who reacts to food dyes should check the code on the bottle before drinking one.
Story Highlights
- The recall covers 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero sold in 37 states.
- The bottles contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, two man-made food colorings, that the label does not list.
- PepsiCo began the recall on Friday, September 25, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rated it Class II on Friday, October 2.
- The people at risk are those who are sensitive to these dyes. Yellow No. 5 can cause itching and hives in some people.
Which Bottles, And What To Do With One
The recall is for the 28-ounce size only, in Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero. The federal recall record counts 122,021 cases. Nothing is wrong with how the drink was made or stored. The trouble is an undeclared ingredient, which means something in the bottle is missing from the ingredient list. A person who avoids these dyes reads that list to stay safe, and here the list does not warn them.
If someone in your home is sensitive to food dyes, do not let them drink a bottle that matches the recall. Set it aside and ask the store where you bought it, or PepsiCo, what to do with it. The recall record does not spell out return steps, and PepsiCo had not answered reporters who asked about refunds. Anyone who breaks out in hives or itching after drinking one should call a doctor.
How To Check Your Bottles At Home
Each recalled bottle carries a lot code, a short string of numbers and letters that shows when and where it was filled, along with a best-by date. The recalled best-by dates run from April 18, 2027, to June 8, 2027. The lot codes and their best-by dates are:
- 072226 DT (APR 18 27), 082126 OA (APR 18 27), 072426 TL (APR 20 27)
- 072726 TL (APR 23 27), 072926 TL (APR 25 27), 073026 TL (APR 25 27)
- 073126 TL (APR 27 27), 080126 DL (APR 28 27), 081026 TL (MAY 07 27)
- 082026 DL (MAY 17 27), 082526 KM (MAY 22 27), 090426 KM (JUN 01 27)
- 083126 DT (JUN 07 27), 091026 DL (JUN 07 27), 091126 DL (JUN 08 27)
The bottles went to stores in 37 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
What The Dyes Are And Who Is At Risk
Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 are man-made colorings used to give foods and drinks a yellow or orange color. Both are allowed in food, but federal rules say they must be named on the label. The FDA says allergic-type reactions to color additives are rare, but Yellow No. 5 can cause itching and hives in some people. For most people who drink one of these bottles, the dyes will cause no problem at all.
That is why the FDA rated this a Class II recall. Class II is the middle of the agency’s three levels. It means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, and the chance of serious harm is remote. The agency gave the recall that rating on October 2, one week after PepsiCo began pulling the bottles on September 25. PepsiCo has not put out a public statement on the recall.
Sources:
abcnews.com, ntd.com, nbcnewyork.com, cbsnews.com, usatoday.com, bronx.news12.com, dallasnews.com