More Than 120,000 Cases Of Gatorade Recalled Over Undeclared Yellow Dyes

Gatorade Recall Over Undeclared Dyes

More than 120,000 cases of Gatorade have been recalled after the products were found to contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 that were not declared on the ingredient labels. PepsiCo initiated the voluntary recall on September 25, 2026. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as a Class II recall on October 2, 2026.

Which Gatorade Products Are Recalled?

The recall involves 28-ounce bottles of four Gatorade varieties: Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange and Gatorade Orange Zero. The affected products contain Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6 or both dyes. The issue is that the color additives were not properly listed on the products’ ingredient labels. The recall covers 122,021 cases of Gatorade. The affected products were distributed across 37 states, including Florida and Texas.

What Are Yellow No. 5 And Yellow No. 6?

Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, and Yellow No. 6, also known as Sunset Yellow, are synthetic food color additives used to provide yellow, orange and related colors to foods and beverages. The FDA permits both color additives for use in food when they meet federal requirements. However, manufacturers are required to identify approved color additives on ingredient labels. The concern in this recall is therefore the failure to declare the dyes on the label rather than the simple presence of the approved color additives.

Why The Labeling Matters

Accurate ingredient labeling is particularly important for people who have known sensitivities or reactions to specific food additives. Yellow No. 5 can cause allergic-type reactions in some people and has been associated with reactions such as hives and itching. In susceptible individuals, it can also trigger an asthma reaction. These reactions are considered uncommon. The FDA’s Class II classification means that exposure to the recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or that the probability of serious adverse health consequences is considered remote.

Which States Received The Recalled Products?

The recalled Gatorade was distributed across 37 states. The states included 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. Because the products were distributed across a large portion of the country, consumers in multiple major markets could have purchased affected bottles.

How Consumers Can Check Their Gatorade

Consumers should not assume that every bottle of the four affected flavors is included in the recall. The recall applies to specific production lots and date codes. Consumers who have 28-ounce bottles of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange or Orange Zero should check the product’s code against the recall information. Some of the affected codes include 091026 DL, 091126 DL, 072226 DT, 072426 TL, 073126 TL, 072926 TL, 073026 TL, 081026 TL, 082126 OA, 080126 DL, 082026 DL, 083126 DT, 082526 KM, 090426 KM and 072726 TL. The affected products carry expiration dates extending into 2027, including dates in April, May and June 2027.

What Consumers Should Do

Anyone who has a recalled bottle should avoid drinking it. Consumers should compare the lot code and date on their bottle with the information provided in the official recall notice. Consumers who experience an unusual reaction after consuming a product and believe it may be connected to a food ingredient should contact a healthcare professional. People with known food sensitivities should be especially careful when checking recalled products because the affected labels did not accurately disclose the presence of the dyes.

Gatorade And The Use Of Artificial Colors

The recall comes as PepsiCo continues working on changes to the ingredients used in some of its products. Gatorade has historically relied on food coloring to create the bright colors associated with its different flavors. The company has been working on reformulation efforts as consumer demand and regulatory attention surrounding synthetic food dyes have increased. Reformulating a beverage can require testing to make sure changes to coloring ingredients do not negatively affect the product’s appearance, taste or overall quality.

What The Recall Does Not Mean

The recall does not mean that all Gatorade products are affected. It also does not mean that every bottle of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange or Orange Zero is part of the recall. Only specific products and production codes are included. The recall also is not described as a bacterial contamination or foreign-object recall. The identified issue is the presence of Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 without those ingredients being properly declared on the affected labels.

The Bottom Line

A total of 122,021 cases of Gatorade are included in the recall involving undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6. The affected products are 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero distributed across 37 states. Consumers should check the lot code and date on their bottles before consuming the products. Anyone with a recalled product should not drink it and should follow the official recall instructions. The FDA has classified the recall as Class II, meaning serious health consequences are considered unlikely. However, accurate ingredient labeling remains important, particularly for consumers who may have sensitivities to specific food color additives.