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Gatorade Was Recalled in 37 States Due to Undeclared Food Dyes
We asked an expert if it's still safe to drink.
Finn Gomez
If you recently purchased a case of Gatorade at Costco or a bottle at the grocery store after a workout, then you might want to think twice before drinking it. Over the last two weeks, there has been a recall of the country's most popular sports drink, which the FDA elevated to Class II on October 2.
A Class II recall is "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.
Here's everything you need to know about the Gatorade recall, including the drinks affected and where they were sold.
Why were these Gatorade products recalled?
The drinks were recalled because they contained undeclared food dyes Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, according to a report issued by the FDA. PepsiCo issued a voluntary recall on September 25, which was classified by the FDA on Oct. 2.
"Both the FDA and EU allow Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 in the food supply," Toby Amidor, a registered dietitian and food safety expert, tells Food Network. "In the U.S. there is a tiny amount of the population that may be allergic to it and the FDA requires that if it’s used, it’s disclosed on the label."
Several major companies have recently taken the initiative to get rid of artificial food dyes in their products altogether, including Kellogg and General Mills. PepsiCo products are starting to make that transition too. For example, Gatorade's Glacier Cherry is free from food dyes.
Which Gatorade products were recalled?
On September 25, 2026, PepsiCo recalled 122,021 cases of Gatorade, including 28-ounce bottles of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero flavors, due to the presence of undisclosed food dyes.
Where was the recalled Gatorade sold?
The Gatorade was sold in 37 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
What is the danger of Yellow No. 5 and No. 6?
Although both dyes are legal for companies to use across the United States and the EU, they have to be declared on labels. This is because they can cause potentially severe allergic reactions, including hives, wheezing and asthma attacks in some people, although rare, according to the FDA.
Has anyone gotten sick from drinking the recalled Gatorade?
No illnesses have been reported from the Gatorade recall so far. The potential for allergic reactions from the food dyes in this sports drink is quite rare but not impossible.
What should you do if you have the recalled Gatorade?
There's no guidance from the FDA on what to do if you have the recalled Gatorade. You can resume drinking it as normal if you don't have a sensitivity to the food dyes. That said, if you are allergic to Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, you'll want to refrain from drinking it.
No statement has been made from Gatorade regarding refunds on the recalled products as of October 8.
In the meantime, there are other electrolyte drinks and powders on the market that you can try instead if you are concerned about Gatorade — here's what a certified athletic trainer recommends.
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