Summary (tl;dr)

PepsiCo has initiated a recall of over 122,000 cases of Gatorade sports drinks across 37 U.S. states due to undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 food dyes not listed on the product labels. This Class II recall highlights a labeling discrepancy, not a contamination issue, primarily posing a risk to individuals with dye sensitivities.

Essential Background

For decades, companies in the U.S. have been required to declare artificial color additives on food product labels. There's been a growing movement and industry shift away from synthetic dyes, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA planning to phase out petroleum-based synthetic color additives by 2027. This broader push, including an announcement by the USDA in April 2025, stems from concerns that these dyes offer no nutritional benefit and may pose health risks, particularly to children. PepsiCo itself announced in April that it planned to phase artificial colors out of certain Gatorade varieties by Fall 2026.

The Full Story

Currently, over 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange, and Gatorade Orange Zero are being recalled by PepsiCo. The voluntary recall, initiated on September 25, 2026, and classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 2, 2026, stems from the presence of Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 dyes that were not declared on the product labels. The FDA has categorized this as a Class II recall, indicating that while exposure may lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, the likelihood of serious harm is considered remote. The affected products were distributed across 37 states, and the recall is ongoing.

Why It Matters

This recall is significant primarily for consumers with sensitivities or allergies to Yellow No. 5 and No. 6 dyes, who rely on accurate labeling to avoid adverse reactions. For these individuals, undeclared dyes can cause symptoms such as mild rashes or allergic-type asthma, particularly those with aspirin hypersensitivity. While most consumers may not experience immediate medical urgency, the incident underscores the importance of stringent labeling practices and aligns with broader efforts to remove synthetic dyes from food products due to potential health concerns. Consumers who have purchased the affected Gatorade products are advised to check lot numbers against the FDA's list and can return them for a refund.

Geographic Location

• Purchase, Westchester County, New York, United States (location where PepsiCo initiated the recall)
• Alabama, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Alaska, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Arizona, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Arkansas, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• California, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Colorado, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Florida, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Georgia, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Hawaii, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Idaho, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Illinois, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Indiana, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Iowa, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Kansas, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Kentucky, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Louisiana, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Michigan, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Minnesota, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Mississippi, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Missouri, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Nebraska, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Nevada, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• New Jersey, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• New Mexico, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• New York, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• North Carolina, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• North Dakota, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Ohio, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Oklahoma, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Pennsylvania, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• South Carolina, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• South Dakota, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Tennessee, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Texas, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Utah, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Washington, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)
• Wisconsin, United States (distribution of recalled Gatorade products)