Gatorade Recalled in 37 States Over Undeclared Yellow Dyes
PepsiCo has recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade sold in 37 states because the bottles contain yellow food dyes that are not listed on the label.
The recall affects 28-ounce bottles of four popular flavors. If you have Gatorade in your fridge or pantry, here's what you need to know.
Which Gatorade Bottles Are Recalled
The recall covers 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles in these flavors:
Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero. Gatorade has been owned by PepsiCo since the company bought Quaker Oats in 2001, and it remains one of the best-selling sports drinks in the country. It is sold everywhere from grocery stores and gas stations to big-box retailers.
The drinks contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, which were not declared on the product labels, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Both dyes are approved for use in food, but federal rules require them to be listed on the label.
The affected bottles carry best-by dates between April and June 2027. The recalled lot codes are 091026 DL, 091126 DL, 072226 DT, 072426 TL, 073126 TL, 072926 TL, 073026 TL, 081026 TL, 082126 OA, 080126 DL, 082026 DL, 083126 DT, 082526 KM, 090426 KM and 072726 TL, according to Medical Daily.
For example, bottles from lot 091026 DL are marked with a best-by date of June 7, 2027, and bottles from lot 072226 DT are marked April 18, 2027, KPRC 2 reported.
Where the Drinks Were Sold
The recalled Gatorade was distributed in 37 states: Alabama, Alaska, 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.
PepsiCo started the voluntary recall on September 25. The FDA classified it as a Class II recall on October 2. That means exposure to the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences," but the chance of serious harm is considered remote.
No illnesses have been reported. PepsiCo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC New York.
Who Could Be Affected
For most people, the dyes pose little risk. However, a small number of people are sensitive to Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine. Reactions can include hives, itching and, in some cases, wheezing or asthma flare-ups.
People who are sensitive to aspirin appear more likely to react to Yellow No. 5, which is one reason federal law requires it to be clearly labeled. Undeclared dyes have prompted other recalls this year, including ice pops recalled in four states in June.
What You Should Do
Check any 28-ounce bottles of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange or Orange Zero Gatorade against the lot codes above. The lot code and best-by date are printed on the bottle.
If you or someone in your home is sensitive to yellow dyes, avoid drinking the recalled bottles. Customers with questions about a refund or replacement can contact PepsiCo or the store where they bought the product.
The recall comes as many food companies move away from synthetic colors amid the FDA's push against food dyes. Brands like Kellogg have announced plans to remove artificial colors from Froot Loops.
Shoppers can also check the FDA's online recalls page for the latest updates. This is one of several food recalls this fall, including the Salata salad dressing recall that was recently upgraded to the FDA's highest risk level.
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