Pepsi Recalls Popular ‘Sugar Free’ Soda: Actually Packed with Sugar

Following action taken by the US Food and Drug Administration, PepsiCo has made the decision to remove one of their most popular ‘zero sugar’ beverages from the market.

The primary responsibility of the FDA is to safeguard public health by ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, as well as the nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and other products.

The FDA has recently issued a product recall for the ‘zero sugar’ Schweppes Ginger Ale. A total of 200 cases of this product have been officially pulled from the market.

This recall would apply to shipments of Schweppes Ginger Ale destined for Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The agency informed consumers that PepsiCo initiated an internal investigation on March 9, 2024, which revealed that certain products labeled as “zero sugar”actually contained “full sugar,”posing a safety risk for diabetic consumers.

At present, it remains uncertain if any impacted products were consumed by customers.

The FDA has issued a warning for consumers to avoid products labelled with the code MAY20240520VS02164 — MAY20240550VS0216, which should be checked before purchase.

It is not the first time that PepsiCo has been under investigation by the FDA. According to an investigation conducted by Consumer Reports, 12-ounce samples of Pepsi One in California were found to contain over 29 micrograms of 4-methylimidazole (MeI) per can. This chemical is commonly used in the caramel coloring of popular soda and beer beverages.

As stated by California’s Proposition 65, any food or beverage that exposes consumers to over 29 micrograms per day must be labeled with a health warning.

The FDA responded to concerns by stating that they are currently reviewing all available data on the safety of 4-MEI to ensure the continued safety of its use in Class III and Class IV caramel coloring in food. In 2018, the FDA also published an assessment of potential consumer exposure to 4-MEI from food products that use this coloring.

In more fast food news, McDonald’s was taken to court by a customer with allergies after receiving a burger with a slice of cheese by mistake.