Gatorade Recall: Is Your Drink Affected? Check These 4 Flavors and Lot Codes
A U.S. Gatorade recall is prompting consumers to check their bottles before reaching for another drink, with more than 122,000 cases affected.
The recall involves a limited group of products distributed across 37 states, meaning shoppers will need to check specific details on their bottles to determine whether they have an affected product. The FDA has issued a risk classification for the recall as the company works to remove the affected drinks from the market.
Which Gatorade Flavors Are Recalled?
The affected products contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, food color additives that were not declared on the product labels, according to the FDA’s recall information.
The recall does not cover every bottle of these flavors. Consumers need to check the lot information printed on their bottles.
Check These 15 Lot Codes
If the flavor, bottle size and lot code match the recall information, consumers should avoid drinking the product.
Why Was Gatorade Recalled?
The recall stems from a labeling issue involving an ingredient that was not declared on the affected products, rather than a problem with Gatorade products across the board.
The FDA classified the action as Class II, which it defines as a situation in which exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
The labeling issue is especially important for consumers with allergies or sensitivities to the undeclared dyes, who may not have realized the ingredients were present.
Where Were the Recalled Drinks Sold?
The affected Gatorade products were distributed in 37 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. The full distribution list also includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah.
Consumers should check the bottle itself rather than assuming a product is safe or recalled based only on where they live.
What Should Consumers Do?
If a bottle matches a recalled flavor and lot code, do not consume it. Consumers should follow the recall instructions for returning or disposing of the product. The Class II designation does not mean everyone who consumes an affected product will become ill. It reflects the potential health consequences of consuming a product with undeclared dyes.
As of October 5, the recall remains active, and the FDA’s public recall information does not indicate that it has been terminated.
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