After a labeling mistake, Coca-Cola recalled thousands of its Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade. The product, shipped to three states, wasn’t quite as “zero sugar” as advertised, leaving consumers with a sugary surprise instead. You’ll want to pay attention if you’ve picked up a pack recently.
What Happening with Coca-Cola’s Lemonade?
Coca-Cola quietly recalled over 13,000 12-packs of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade in September due to a labeling mistake, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The cans, marketed as a zero-sugar version of the product, contained the same amount of sugar as the regular lemonade.
How Large Is the Recall?
Coca-Cola recalled 13,152 cases of twelve 12-ounce cans across three states: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Since the recall happened quietly over a month ago, the company reassured consumers in a statement emailed to USA TODAY that “No impacted product remains in the market” and “All recall activities in those markets are complete.”
The FDA issued a Class II recall on the product, meaning there are no immediate health risks associated with consuming the mislabeled product, but it could cause complications.
What is the Difference Between the Original and the Zero-Sugar version?
Both versions of Coca-Cola’s lemonade are made with lemon juice from concentrate, natural flavoring, citric acid, glycerol ester of rosin, and filtered water. The main difference lies in the sugar content or lack thereof. The regular lemonade uses high fructose corn syrup, adding 27 grams of sugar, while the Zero version replaces it with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, allowing it to be marketed as sugar-free. Additionally, Regular Minute Maid Lemonade has 100 calories and 29g of carbs, compared to the zero-sugar version’s 5 calories.
Why Does This Matter?
Considering that 38 million Americans—11.6% of the population—have diabetes, this labeling mistake isn’t minor. Many consumers rely on zero-sugar options, making this recall an important heads-up. The regular lemonade contains significantly more sugar than the zero-sugar version, increasing health risks, especially for people with diabetes or prediabetes.
How to Spot the Recalled Cans?
To check if you’ve got one of these recalled packs, look for the codes “FEB1725CNA” or “FEB1725CNB” on the cans or the carton. You can also look for “CANNED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, ATLANTA, GA” near the nutrition facts. If you’re in possession of one of these recalled drinks, you can return the product for a refund or exchange.
