The recall, initiated on Sept. 25 by New York-based PepsiCo, which owns the Gatorade brand, affects cases containing 28-ounce bottles of four varieties: Gatorade Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero.
The products have been recalled in 37 states, including New York and nearby in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Other large markets on the distribution list that are recalling the products include California, Texas, Washington and Florida.
The FDA said the products were recalled because they contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 dyes. The term “undeclared” here refers to food-coloring ingredients that are in the beverage but not listed on the product’s label as required.
The recall remains ongoing, according to the FDA, though no press release had been issued for the recall as of Monday.
Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, and Yellow No. 6, or Sunset Yellow, are synthetic food color additives commonly used to give various foods and beverages their yellow or orange coloring. The FDA permits both dyes for use in food and beverage products when they meet federal requirements.
The regulatory agency has classified the recall as a Class ll recall, a category it describes as “a situation in which use of, or 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.”
According to the news outlet Medical Daily, the recall is described as a labeling problem, not one of contamination, for most people.
“Both dyes are approved food colors, and most people consume them without trouble,” the outlet wrote. “The risk falls on a smaller group: people who know they react to tartrazine, including some people with asthma or aspirin sensitivity who rely on ingredient labels to avoid it.”
The Gatorade recall is classified as a voluntary recall, meaning the company initiated the action rather than the FDA ordering the products to be removed from the market.
Consumers with questions about the recalled products can check the FDA’s recall information for additional information.
The recalled Gatorade products contain the following lot numbers listed on the bottles:
Lot 091026 DL – JUN 07 27;
Lot 091126 DL – JUN 08 27;
Lot 072226 DT – APR 18 27;
Lot 072426 TL – APR 20 27;
Lot 073126 TL – APR 27 27;
Lot 072926 TL – APR 25 27;
Lot 073026 TL – APR 25 27;
Lot 081026 TL – MAY 07 27;
Lot 082126 OA – APR 18 27;
Lot 080126 DL – APR 28 27;
Lot 082026 DL – MAY 17 27;
Lot 083126 DT – JUN 07 27;
Lot 082526 KM – MAY 22 27;
Lot 090426 KM – JUN 01 27;
Lot 072726 TL – APR 23 27
