According to News Week, More than 13,000 cans of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade are being voluntarily recalled due to a labeling mishap. The cans were mistakenly packaged as regular lemonade, which contains sugar, leading to a Class II risk classification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Understanding the Class II Recall
A Class II recall is defined 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.”
Details of the Affected Products
The affected products were shipped to retail stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. These cans feature a UPC code of 0 25000 12115 9 and one of two additional codes: FEB1725CNA or FEB1725CNB. According to Spartan Nash, a food solutions company, the 12-ounce cans were sold in fridge packs. It’s important to note that while the cans themselves are not mislabeled, the outer packaging is incorrect.
Company Statement
A spokesperson for Coca-Cola stated: “In September, Coca-Cola Consolidated voluntarily recalled a limited quantity of Minute Maid Lemonade 12-ounce cans in parts of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. No impacted product remains in the market, and all recall activities in those markets are complete.”
Recalls and Industry Trends
According to an analysis by Trace One, mislabeling accounted for just under 10 percent of all recalls issued by the FDA between 2020 and 2024. Other common reasons for product recalls include undeclared allergen contamination, the presence of foodborne pathogens, and foreign object materials in food.
Previous Recalls and FDA Classifications
Minute Maid, owned by Coca-Cola, last faced a recall in November 2021, involving three products: Berry Punch, Strawberry Lemonade, and Fruit Punch drinks, due to the presence of foreign matter. This recall was also classified as a Class II risk level.
The FDA employs a classification system for recalls:
- Class I: Highest risk, where there is a “reasonable probability” that exposure could lead to serious health consequences or death.
- Class II: As described, where exposure may cause temporary health issues but is less likely to be serious.
- Class III: Indicates that exposure is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
Increase in Food Recalls
Trace One also reported a rising trend in food recalls by the FDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). From 2020 to 2023, the total number of recalls increased from 454 to 547, marking a rise of over 20 percent. All classes of recall have seen an uptick, with Class I recalls increasing each year since 2020.
