If you have a bottle of Gatorade in your fridge, it is worth taking a second look before you drink it. PepsiCo has recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade sold across 37 states after the drinks were found to contain food colorings that were not declared on the label, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The gatorade recall was initiated by the company on September 25, 2026, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on October 2.
The issue is a labeling problem, not contamination: the affected bottles contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, dyes that were missing from the ingredient list. For most people that is a minor concern, but for anyone sensitive to these colorings — or to aspirin — the FDA says reactions can include mild rash or allergic-type asthma.
Which Gatorade Products Are Included in the Recall?
The recall covers 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles of four products, according to the FDA’s enforcement report:
- Gatorade Lemon Lime (28 oz)
- Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero (28 oz)
- Gatorade Orange (28 oz)
- Gatorade Orange Zero (28 oz)
Other flavors and other bottle sizes are not part of this recall. If your bottle is one of the four flavors above and in the 28-ounce size, the next step is to check the lot information printed on it.
How to Check Your Bottle: The Recalled Lot Numbers
The FDA published 15 lot codes tied to the recall, with best-by dates from April to June 2027. Here they are, exactly as listed in the agency’s enforcement report:
- 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
The lot code is typically printed on the bottle’s neck or cap area. If the code on your bottle matches one of these, do not drink it.
Which States Are Affected?
The recalled Gatorade was distributed in 37 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Why Was the Gatorade Recalled?
Federal rules require FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow No. 6 to be declared on ingredient labels. These bottles contained one or both of the dyes without listing them. PepsiCo discovered the labeling error and voluntarily initiated the recall on September 25; the FDA assigned its Class II classification on October 2.
PepsiCo has not publicly explained how the labeling error happened, and no connection has been confirmed between this recall and the company’s previously announced plan to remove artificial colors from its Lemon Lime and Orange flavors in fall 2026.
What Does a Class II Recall Mean?
A Class II recall is the middle tier of the FDA’s three recall classes. It means use of, or exposure to, the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” and that the probability of serious harm is considered remote. Class I is the most serious; Class III is the least.
In plain terms: this is not the most severe type of recall, but it is not trivial either. The FDA says reactions to Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 are uncommon in the general population but more likely among people sensitive to aspirin. Anyone experiencing breathing trouble or facial swelling after drinking the product should seek emergency care.
If this recall has you paying closer attention to what you drink, you may also like our guide to The Morning Reset: Inside 2026’s Biggest Wellness Obsession, which covers smarter hydration habits.
What Should You Do If You Have a Recalled Bottle?
- Check the lot code on every 28-ounce bottle of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, or Orange Zero Gatorade against the list above.
- Do not drink bottles that match — especially if anyone in your household has aspirin sensitivity or a known reaction to yellow food dyes.
- Return them to the store where you bought them. Retailers typically offer a full refund for recalled products.
- If you can’t get a refund, dispose of the bottles in a sealed trash container so people or animals can’t access them.
The FDA has not issued a separate press release for the recall, and the action remains ongoing as of October 6, 2026.
The Bottom Line
The gatorade recall is a labeling failure, not a contamination scare — but the labeling rules exist to protect people with real sensitivities. The affected products are limited to four flavors in 28-ounce bottles with specific lot codes sold in 37 states. A 30-second check of the lot code on your bottle is all it takes to know whether yours is affected. When in doubt, check against the FDA’s list — or skip the bottle and grab a different flavor.
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