PepsiCo voluntarily initiated a recall of Gatorade on Sept. 25, 2026, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on Oct. 2, according to 6abc Philadelphia and the Courier-Post. The action covers 122,021 cases of 28-ounce bottles in four flavors: Gatorade Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, and Orange Zero. The problem is undeclared coloring — the bottles contain Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6 that their labels do not disclose. Affected lot dates fall between April 2027 and June 2027, and the FDA's full lot list runs to 15 codes, from Lot 072226 DT (April 18, 2027) to Lot 091126 DL (June 8, 2027).

Undeclared color additives sit at the intersection of food science and labeling law. ABC News explains that color additives are common in processed foods and drinks and are used to add color to colorless foods, enhance colors, and even out colors in foods exposed to air, light, moisture, temperature swings and other factors.

The FDA classified the recall as ongoing as of Oct. 2, and 6abc reports no press release has been issued for the action according to the FDA's enforcement report. ABC News has reached out to PepsiCo, which owns Gatorade, for comment and has not reported a response. Meanwhile, the Post and Courier reports it is currently unknown whether customers who purchased the recalled Gatorade would be eligible for a refund, according to CBS. Consumers with a matching bottle can check the FDA website for the full list of lot dates and distribution states, and watch for further enforcement-report updates.

The four recalled flavors span both the regular and Zero lineups, meaning the gap affected multiple production runs over several months' worth of lot dates, from April 2027 through June 2027 best-by codes. The FDA's account of why colorants are used at all — colorless foods, fading, moisture and temperature — doubles as a short lesson in beverage manufacturing. And the Class II framework shows how regulators tier risk: real consequences for a sensitive minority, remote odds of serious harm overall.