Full Breakdown
Nationwide Gatorade Recall Targets 122,021 Cases Over Undeclared Food Dyes
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
PepsiCo voluntarily recalled 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade bottles after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified undeclared synthetic food colorings—Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) and/or Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)—in four flavors: Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, and Orange Zero. The recall, classified as a Class II recall, was initiated on September 25 and the FDA issued its classification on October 2. The action remains ongoing.
Background & Context
FDA regulations require that each certified color additive be listed on product labels by name or by its color-and-number designation. Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 are FDA-approved additives, but they must appear on ingredient statements because they can trigger allergic-type reactions in susceptible individuals, particularly those with aspirin hypersensitivity.
Timeline
- September 25 – PepsiCo announces voluntary recall of the affected Gatorade products.
- October 2 – FDA classifies the recall as Class II, indicating that exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, with serious outcomes considered unlikely.
Data & Statistics
- Quantity recalled: 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles.
- Flavors involved: Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero.
- States affected: 37 states, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
- Lot numbers and expiration dates (selected):
- June 7 2027 (Lot 091026 DL)
- June 8 2027 (Lot 091126 DL)
- April 18 2027 (Lot 072226 DT)
- April 20 2027 (Lot 072426 TL)
- April 25 2027 (Lot 072726 TL)
- April 27 2027 (Lot 073126 TL)
- May 7 2027 (Lot 081026 TL)
- May 17 2027 (Lot 082026 DL)
- May 22 2027 (Lot 082526 KM)
- June 1 2027 (Lot 090426 KM)
Why It Matters
Yellow No. 5 and Yellow 6 have been linked in research to hypersensitivity reactions such as hives, itching, nasal congestion, and asthma-type symptoms. While such reactions are uncommon in the general population, they occur more frequently among individuals with aspirin sensitivity. Undeclared presence of these dyes prevents affected consumers from avoiding them, raising a specific health risk for this subgroup.
Official Statements & Responses
- PepsiCo has not issued a public press release beyond the initial recall notice; the company’s statement to media outlets was not available at the time of reporting.
On-the-Ground Reports
Consumers are instructed to compare the lot code and best-by date on their bottles with the FDA’s published list. If a bottle matches a recalled lot, the recommendation is to refrain from consumption, return the product to the place of purchase, or dispose of it according to local guidelines. The FDA’s online recall database remains the primary source for updates.
What’s Next
The recall remains active while PepsiCo and regulators continue monitoring the affected products. No additional future actions or deadlines have been announced beyond the ongoing removal of the recalled inventory.