Coca-Cola Recalling Thousands of Popular Beverages

The Coca-Cola Company announced a voluntary recall on nearly 7,500 cases of Minute Maid products in eight states due to potential foreign matter contamination. Specifically, the Coca-Cola recall is being initiated because metal bolts or washers could be present in the affected beverages, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

According to a spokesperson for the beverage brand’s parent company, the Coca-Cola Company, the recall affected the following three refrigerated Minute Maid drinks in 59 oz. cartons — Berry Punch, Strawberry Lemonade and Fruit Punch. The drinks were distributed in eight states across the country, including Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Carolina.

The Coca-Cola Company recently completed the voluntary recall of the products from stores where it was delivered, but customers who previously purchased the drinks might not have opened them yet.

Wonder if your beverages are affected? The following date codes were part of the recall: berry punch with the dates of Jan. 4, 2022 and Jan. 5, 2022 and a UPC code of 025000047671; strawberry lemonade with the date of Jan. 3, 2022 and a UPC code of 025000019760; and fruit punch with the date of Jan. 5 and a UPC code of 025000047732.

The FDA is classifying this as a Class II recall. This indicates one of two things: that the products in question “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” (as opposed to the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death associated with a Class I recall), or that the likelihood of serious negative health effects is “remote,” per the FDA. No illness or injury in connection with the products has been reported at this time.

“This product did not meet our high-quality standards due to the potential presence of foreign matter,” Coca-Cola spokesperson Ann L. Moore told People. “We took this voluntary action because nothing is more important to us than providing safe, high-quality products to the people who drink our beverages.”

Certain Coca-Cola and Sprite 12-ounce cans are also subject to recall due to the possible presence of foreign matter, according to Commissaries.

The following Coca-Cola and Sprite products with their batch codes are subject to recall:

Coca-Cola 12 ounce cans: Date Code: AUG 1522 WM B

Coca-Cola 12 ounce cans: Date Code: AUG 1522 WM C

Sprite 12 ounce cans: Date Code: AUG 1522 WM B

The Coca-Cola and Sprite products were distributed in southeastern states.

Customers who do have the affected drinks at home are encouraged to return it to the store where they purchased it for an exchange or refund. They can also contact Coca-Cola’s Consumer Interaction Center at 1-800 GET-COKE (800-438-2653).

This is the second beverage-related recall in the past month. In late November, Kraft Heinz recalled some packages of its powdered Country Time Lemonade, Country Time Pink Lemonade, Tang, and Arizona Tea. along with some of its powdered Kool-Aid drinks due to the potential for them to contain “very small pieces of metal or glass.” The affected packages are marked with “Best When Used By” dates between May 10, 2023 and November 1, 2023.