Business Fortune: Gatorade Recall: 122,021 Cases Pulled

Gatorade Recall: 122,000 Cases Pulled in 37 States Over Hidden Yellow Dyes

A Gatorade recall covering 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles is ongoing after the FDA flagged undeclared Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.

PepsiCo initiated a voluntary Gatorade recall of four flavors on September 25, 2026 and the FDA classified it as class II on October 2nd. The recall involves 28-ounce bottles and is ongoing, with no end in sight.

What flavors of Gatorade are recalled?

Four flavors in 28-ounce bottles are affected: Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero. Other sizes are not included, according to KATU and the lot dates span from April 2027 through June 2027. The FDA enforcement report contains fifteen lot numbers (recall number H-0009-2027).

Why was Gatorade recalled?

The FDA states that the Gatorade bottles “contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 that are not noted on the product labeling.” Yellow No. 5 is also called Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow FCF is another name for Yellow No. 6. Ingested dyes are not prohibited, per se, but Newsweek reports that the absence from labeling could prevent sensitive individuals from avoiding them.

Where was the recalled Gatorade sold?

The recalled Gatorade was sold in thirty-seven states, according to the FDA, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and California, as noted by ConsumerLab. The full list also includes Michigan, Ohio, Washington, and Hawaii, according to ConsumerLab, but not Oregon.

How serious is this recall?

A class II recall is in the middle of the FDA’s three-class system for product recalls, and the FDA states that it involves “exposure to a hazard which may cause temporary or reversible adverse health consequences or the hazard presented is not serious.”

Class I recalls, according to Medical Daily, are for situations when there is “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to, the violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

ABC News reports that the FDA warns of “possible temporary rash or allergic-type reaction (such as asthma)” after ingesting the recalled Gatorade. Such reactions usually “do not last long,” but they can be severe in people sensitive to aspirin.

What should consumers do with the Gatorade at home?

Those who have one of the four flavors in 28-ounce bottles should compare the lot code to those in the FDA enforcement report and refrain from consuming any beverage that has a matching code. If an individual has a known sensitivity to artificial dyes, they should be especially cautious. Medical Daily reports that those who have had a rash after using similar artificial dyes should seek emergency help if they experience breathing difficulties or facial swelling after drinking. The article does not mention a PepsiCo statement, but the FDA’s enforcement report makes no mention of a press release either and ABC News notes that the company was contacted for a comment, but did not respond.

The Gatorade recall concerns a labeling error, not a dye ban, since Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are approved for use. The FDA’s concern was that the ingredient labeling did not include them and for most consumers, the immediate course of action is to check lot codes for any 28-ounce Gatorade bottles and be aware of possible allergic-type side effects. People with dye or aspirin allergies should be especially cautious.

Business Fortune asks consumers to watch the FDA enforcement report for additional information.

FAQs

Is the Gatorade recall dangerous?

The FDA has classified the recall as class II, which means that health effects are considered temporary or reversible with no serious implications.

What flavors of Gatorade are recalled?

The affected Gatorade flavors are Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero.

Where was the recalled Gatorade sold?

The recalled Gatorade was sold in thirty-seven states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, California and Michigan.

Why were Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 a problem?

Yellow 5 is also called Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow FCF is another name for Yellow 6. The FDA considers these ingredients to be food-approved dyes that were not disclosed in the product labeling.