More than 122,000 cases of Gatorade distributed across 37 states, including New York and New Jersey, are being recalled because certain bottles contain artificial food dyes that were not disclosed on their labels, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The sweeping recall covers 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles of four varieties: Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange and Gatorade Orange Zero.

According to the FDA, the affected beverages contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, but the presence of those color additives was omitted from the product labeling. Both dyes are permitted for use in foods and beverages but are required to be declared on product labels.

PepsiCo, the parent company of Gatorade, voluntarily launched the recall on Sept. 25. The FDA formally classified the action on Oct. 2 as a Class II recall, and the recall remains ongoing.

Under the FDA’s classification system, a Class II recall applies when use of or exposure to a product could result in temporary or medically reversible health consequences, while the probability of serious adverse health effects is considered remote.

The principal concern involves consumers who are sensitive to the undeclared dyes. Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, and Yellow No. 6 can cause allergic-type reactions in a small number of people, with sensitivities more commonly reported among individuals who also react to aspirin.

Possible reactions can include skin rashes and asthma-like symptoms, although such responses are considered uncommon among the general population. The recall stems from the failure to list the dyes on the labels rather than evidence that the beverages are broadly unsafe for consumers.

The affected Gatorade was shipped to 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 and Wisconsin.

Consumers in the New York metropolitan area are therefore among those being urged to check their bottles, with both New York and New Jersey included in the distribution area. Pennsylvania is also among the states affected.

The recalled products can be identified by specific lot and date codes printed on the bottles. The affected dates range from April through June 2027.

Among the recalled codes are 072226 DT with a date of APR 18 27; 072426 TL with APR 20 27; 072726 TL with APR 23 27; 072926 TL and 073026 TL with APR 25 27; 073126 TL with APR 27 27; 080126 DL with APR 28 27; 081026 TL with MAY 07 27; 082026 DL with MAY 17 27; 082526 KM with MAY 22 27; 090426 KM with JUN 01 27; 083126 DT and 091026 DL with JUN 07 27; and 091126 DL with JUN 08 27.

The recall comes as PepsiCo has already been moving to remove certain synthetic colors from several Gatorade products. The company previously committed to eliminating certain artificial colors from its Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime and Orange Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Gatorade Zero products beginning in fall 2026 as part of a broader industry shift toward alternative color ingredients.

The timing means the recall coincides with PepsiCo’s ongoing reformulation efforts, although the FDA enforcement action specifically concerns the failure to declare dyes contained in the affected products, rather than the broader debate over the continued use of artificial coloring in foods and beverages.

The recall is listed by the FDA under recall number H-0009-2027.

As of Monday, the FDA had not announced reports of widespread serious illnesses associated with the recalled beverages. The agency also had not issued a separate public press release for the action, with information instead appearing in its enforcement reporting system.

Consumers who have 28-ounce bottles of the four affected Gatorade varieties are being advised to inspect the lot and date information carefully to determine whether their drinks are included in the recall.

{Matzav.com}