PepsiCo has voluntarily recalled 122,021 cases of Gatorade 28-ounce bottles after four flavors were found to contain undeclared synthetic food dyes — Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 — that do not appear on the product labels. The recall was initiated September 25, 2026, and classified as Class II by the FDA on October 2, 2026. No illnesses have been reported. The recalled products were distributed across 37 states.
What’s Being Recalled?
Four flavors of Gatorade in 28-ounce bottles are included:
Gatorade Lemon Lime (regular)
Gatorade Zero Lemon Lime
Gatorade Orange (regular)
Gatorade Zero Orange
Only specific lot dates are affected — lot dates of April 2027, May 2027, and June 2027 are included. The lot date is printed on the bottle. The recalled bottles were distributed in 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.
Why Was This Product Recalled?
The recalled Gatorade bottles contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 — FDA-approved synthetic food dyes — that were not declared on the product label. Federal law requires all food coloring to be listed on product labels so consumers can make informed choices. While both dyes are legal in the U.S., they must be disclosed because in rare cases they can trigger allergic reactions including hives, wheezing, and asthma attacks in people with sensitivities. The FDA’s Class II classification indicates that serious health consequences are considered remote, but temporary or medically reversible effects are possible for sensitive individuals.
What Should You Do?
If you have a sensitivity to Yellow No. 5 or Yellow No. 6, do not drink the recalled Gatorade bottles with the affected lot dates. Return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Most consumers with no dye sensitivity face no meaningful health risk from the recalled product, but the labeling violation means the bottles should not be sold. The full lot date list is available at fda.gov.
