Federal regulators have classified a voluntary recall of Gatorade drinks as Class II after the products were found to contain yellow food dyes that were not listed on their labels. The affected drinks were sold in more than two dozen states, so households that buy the 28-ounce bottles should check the product name and lot date before drinking them.
Which bottles are involved
The recall covers 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange and Gatorade Orange Zero. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 122,000 cases are affected. The drinks did not declare Yellow No. 6 and/or Yellow No. 5 on the label, and they carry lot dates between April 2027, May 2027 and June 2027. The full list of lot dates and the states where the drinks were distributed is available on the FDA website, and readers should consult that list rather than relying on a summary.
Why an undeclared dye matters
Food dyes are color additives. Manufacturers use them for several reasons: to add color to drinks that would otherwise look colorless, to strengthen an existing shade, or to even out color that shifts when a product is exposed to air, light, moisture or temperature changes. Many processed foods and beverages contain them, so the color itself is not unusual. The problem in this recall is the labeling. People who avoid a particular dye, or who react to it, rely on the ingredient list to make that choice, and a missing declaration removes that information.
Health context and classification
The FDA classified the recall on October 2 as Class II, a category used when exposure to or consumption of a product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or when the chance of serious harm is remote. The agency said side effects linked to these dyes could include a mild rash or allergic-type asthma. The agency also noted that such reactions are uncommon in the general population and are seen more often in people who have allergic reactions to aspirin. The recall was initiated on September 25. ABC News has contacted PepsiCo, which owns Gatorade, for comment, and no company response is included in the material available for this report.
What households should do
If you buy Gatorade in 28-ounce bottles, compare the flavor, the Zero or non-Zero designation and the lot date with the FDA list. If your bottle matches and you have concerns about a dye sensitivity, contact a health care professional for guidance on your own situation. Keep the bottle until you have decided what to do with it, and follow the instructions the company or retailer provides for returns or refunds. The available information does not cover every retailer or every possible return arrangement, so confirm those details directly with the seller.