The recall covers four Gatorade varieties in 28-ounce bottles distributed across 37 states.
PURCHASE, New York — PepsiCo is recalling more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that certain bottles contained food dyes not declared on the product labels.
The voluntary recall covers 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange and Gatorade Orange Zero. The products may contain undeclared Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6 or both.
PepsiCo initiated the recall Sept. 25. The FDA classified it as a Class II recall on Oct. 2, a category used when exposure to a product could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, or when the likelihood of serious health consequences is considered remote. hRecall
The affected Gatorade was distributed in 37 states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana. Other states receiving the products include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
The recall applies to specific production lots rather than every bottle of those four flavors.
Affected lot and date markings include 091026 DL — JUN 07 27; 091126 DL — JUN 08 27; 072226 DT — APR 18 27; 072426 TL — APR 20 27; 073126 TL — APR 27 27; 072926 TL — APR 25 27; 073026 TL — APR 25 27; 081026 TL — MAY 07 27; 082126 OA — APR 18 27; 080126 DL — APR 28 27; 082026 DL — MAY 17 27; 083126 DT — JUN 07 27; 082526 KM — MAY 22 27; 090426 KM — JUN 01 27; and 072726 TL — APR 23 27.
Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 are FDA-authorized color additives used in foods and beverages. The issue behind the recall is that the dyes were present without being properly disclosed on the labels.
The FDA notes that reactions to color additives are uncommon, but Yellow No. 5 can cause itching, hives or other hypersensitivity reactions in some people. Federal rules specifically require products containing Yellow No. 5 to identify the dye on their labels so sensitive consumers can avoid it.
The recall comes as PepsiCo is already working to remove FD&C colors from several Gatorade products. The FDA’s industry-tracking page says the company pledged to eliminate those colors from fruit punch, lemon-lime and orange Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Gatorade Zero products beginning in fall 2026.
The FDA lists the recall under H-0009-2027. The agency’s enforcement information indicates the recall remains ongoing.
Consumers with bottles matching the affected flavors and lot codes should check with the retailer or PepsiCo for instructions before consuming the product.
