Coca-Cola Recalls Over 13,000 Cases of Mislabelled ‘Zero Sugar’ Lemonade
Coca-Cola has issued a recall for more than 13,000 cases of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade after it was discovered that the containers were mislabelled. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that 13,151 cases of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade were affected by the mislabeling. This error occurred when cans of regular Minute Maid Lemonade were mistakenly placed in cases labelled as Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade.
The difference between these two types of lemonade is significant in terms of ingredients. A can of regular Minute Maid Lemonade contains 40g of total sugar, 50mg of sodium, and 150 calories, whereas the zero-sugar lemonade contains zero grams of total sugar, 50mg of sodium, and only five calories. Despite the recall being initiated on September 10, the FDA noted that there was no accompanying press release for the recall.
The affected product was distributed to retail stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. However, the FDA confirmed that the recalled cases of lemonade have been removed from shelves. A statement from Coca-Cola to CNN reassured consumers by stating, “No impacted product remains in the market, and all recall activities in those markets are complete.”
To identify if a purchased product is part of the recall, consumers can check for the codes FEB1725CNA and FEB1725CNB on the packaging of the lemonade cases. The recall was officially classified on October 10 as a Class II recall by the FDA. A Class II recall indicates that the use of a tainted product may result in temporary or reversible adverse health effects, with a low risk of serious consequences.
Food recalls have been on the rise in recent times, with the FDA issuing 506 recalls in 2023, marking the highest number of recalls in five years according to Sedgwick Brand Protection’s 2024 State of the Nation Recall Index report. The number of FDA recalls increased by 19.6% from 2022 to 2023.
In a related incident last month, HP Hood LLC, the owner of a lactose-free brand, voluntarily recalled several SKUs of 96-ounce containers due to potential almond allergen contamination. The company initiated the recall following routine maintenance checks that revealed the possibility of trace amounts of almond in the products.
Coca-Cola’s recall of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant about product labels and recalls to ensure their safety and well-being.