Nearly 20,000 cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar cans actually contain 39 grams of sugar per can, posing a potentially fatal risk to diabetics who consume them, while Topo Chico Mineral Water faces a separate recall due to bacterial contamination.
Key Takeaways
- Over 19,000 cases of Dr Pepper labeled as “zero sugar” actually contain 39 grams of sugar per can, triggering an FDA Class II recall across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- The mislabeled Dr Pepper poses serious health risks for diabetics and others monitoring sugar intake, potentially causing hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Affected Dr Pepper products can be identified by code XXXXRS05165 with a February 16, 2026 best-by date and should be returned to the place of purchase.
- Separately, Coca-Cola has recalled Topo Chico Mineral Water with lot code #13A2541 from select Costco locations in Texas and Louisiana due to contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
- Both companies are offering full refunds for returned products as they attempt to protect consumers from these significant health hazards.
Dr Pepper’s Dangerous Labeling Error Threatens Diabetics
The FDA has issued a Class II recall for thousands of Dr Pepper “Zero Sugar” cans that were incorrectly filled with regular, sugar-laden Dr Pepper. The recall encompasses 19,203 cases of 12-pack and 24-pack 12-ounce cans distributed across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. For diabetics and others who must carefully monitor sugar consumption, this mislabeling presents a serious health threat, as each can contain 39 grams of sugar despite being labeled as sugar-free.
The FDA defines a Class II recall as a “situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA. While this classification may sound relatively mild, for diabetics who consume what they believe is a “zero sugar” beverage, the consequences could include dangerous hyperglycemia or potentially fatal diabetic ketoacidosis.
Pepsi Beverages Company in Jacksonville, Florida, is handling the recall of products manufactured by CB Manufacturing Company. The affected Dr Pepper Zero Sugar products were marketed as the company’s “one-of-a-kind blend of its signature 23 flavors in a zero sugar soda,” according to the company. Consumers can identify the recalled products by looking for the code XXXXRS05165 and a best-by date of February 16, 2026.
How to Identify and Return Affected Products
The Dr Pepper recall thankfully does not affect Texas residents, as the mislabeled products were only shipped to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Consumers who have purchased Dr Pepper Zero Sugar in these states should check their products for the identifying code XXXXRS05165 and the February 16, 2026 best-by date. Anyone who discovers they have purchased the recalled product should either return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or dispose of it properly.
“The safety and quality of the products we offer our consumers is our top priority,” declared by Coca-Cola. regarding its separate Topo Chico recall. While this statement refers to the mineral water recall, it underscores the responsibility all beverage companies have to ensure their products are safe for consumption and accurately labeled, particularly when health conditions like diabetes require consumers to make careful dietary choices.
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar was launched relatively recently in 2021, offering Original, Cherry, and Cream Soda flavors as alternatives for consumers seeking to reduce their sugar intake. This recall represents a significant failure in quality control that could undermine consumer trust in the brand’s zero sugar product line, especially among those with health conditions who rely on accurate nutritional labeling.
Topo Chico Mineral Water Bacterial Contamination
In a separate but equally concerning recall, Coca-Cola has pulled Topo Chico Mineral Water from select Costco warehouses in Texas and Louisiana due to potential contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. This recall specifically affects bottles with the lot number 13A2541 sold in 18-packs. While the health risk is considered relatively low for healthy individuals, those with weakened immune systems could experience adverse effects from consuming the contaminated water.
Costco customers who purchased the affected Topo Chico products can return them to the warehouse for a full refund. This bacterial contamination highlights ongoing concerns about product safety in bottled water, which many consumers choose specifically for perceived health benefits and purity. The discovery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in vulnerable individuals, raises questions about quality control measures in bottling facilities.
These dual recalls from major beverage companies demonstrate the importance of rigorous quality control processes and the potential health consequences when these processes fail. Both the sugar content mislabeling and bacterial contamination incidents represent serious breakdowns in consumer protection that could have been prevented with proper oversight and testing procedures.
