The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed a Class II recall of 19,200 cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar following the discovery of full sugar in the beverages instead of the product marketed as zero-sugar. The May 23, 2025, recall by Pepsi Beverages Company affects products which were shipped to retailers in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. Such mislabeling poses a particular risk to diabetics or to those watching sugar consumption, and highlights the importance of food labeling to public health.
Scope of the recall
Recalled products include 12-packs and 24-packs of 12-ounce aluminum cans bearing the name Dr Pepper Zero Sugar. Every carton contains product code XXXXRS05165 and a “best by” date of February 16, 2026. They were produced under license by Keurig Dr Pepper at the Pepsi Jacksonville, Florida manufacturing facility and shipped to southeastern U.S. wholesalers. While cans likely were removed from supermarket shelves shortly after the recall began, consumers are asked to search their homes for any remaining inventory.
Why the recall was issued
The FDA listed the recall as Class II, indicating consumption would result in “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” Although at this point the sugar is not hazardous to the general population, classic Dr Pepper contains 39 grams of sugar in the single can of 12 ounces, a high dose for diabetics and individuals with metabolic syndrome. The mistake was made at manufacture when complete sugar syrup was used in mistake to cans destined for the zero-sugar brand. This kind of mistake indicates weaknesses in quality control procedures of bulk beverage production.
For the almost 38.4 million Americans living with diabetes, unintended sugar intake can cause disastrous blood glucose spikes. The American Diabetes Association suggests setting added sugars to 25–36 grams daily, and even one of the recalled cans alone would be above this range. Among the signs of hyperglycemia are frequent urination, blurred vision, and lethargy, which, if left unattended, could cause diabetic ketoacidosis. Endocrinologists mention that such labeling undermines confidence in “diet” foods marketed as wholesome for consumers who care about their well-being.
Consumer guidance and what to do next
Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina consumers who bought Dr Pepper Zero Sugar should:
- Check cans for product code XXXXRS05165 and best-if-used-by date of February 16, 2026.
- Return the product or obtain a full refund from the store.
- Call Pepsi Beverages Company at 1-800-433-2652 with questions.
The FDA is inviting patients showing signs of high blood sugar to report to the hospital immediately. Distributors and retailers were advised to quarantine whatever supplies remained and give destruction certificates to regulators.
Wider implications for the beverage industry
This is the second big recall of 2025 for Pepsi following a January recall of Gatorade bottles tainted with glass. It follows FDA keen eyes being trained on food labeling procedures, especially for “sugar-free” or “low-carb” products. In May 2025, the agency released new guidance for nitrosamine impurities in medications, as part of a larger initiative to shed light into factories.
Keurig Dr Pepper has not yet commented on whether it will revise its licensing agreements or audit Pepsi’s production protocols. However, industry analysts predict increased investment in automated quality assurance systems, such as AI-powered visual inspections, to prevent similar errors.
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar recall is a reminder of the thin line that manufacturers have to tread between large-scale production and consumer safety. Even when no serious illness cases were mentioned, the recall reminds manufacturers to focus on high-quality controls—especially for medically vulnerable groups. As further inquiry from the FDA goes on, the case will be expected to prompt labeling regulations and third-party manufacturing reforms such that “zero sugar” labeling will not be mere advertising.
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