More than 20,000 cans of 7Up recalled due to an error in the labeling of sugar content – These are all the affected batches and products

Sugar-free? Not quite. 7Up recall hits thousands of cans

An Alabama bottler has pulled thousands of cans of 7Up Zero Sugar Tropical Soda from store shelves after discovering the “sugar-free” drink wasn’t sugar-free at all. The voluntary recall was announced in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice, raising eyebrows—and blood sugar levels—across the South.

Buffalo Rock Company Inc., based in Birmingham, Alabama, issued the recall on July 31 after finding that mislabeled soda had slipped into distribution. The affected cans made their way to stores in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

While the label proudly promised “Zero Sugar,” the contents were actually the full-sugar version — a mix-up that could have serious implications for consumers monitoring their sugar intake.

More than 23,000 cans pulled

The recall covers 1,954 cases of 12-pack 7Up Zero Sugar Tropical Soda — that’s 23,448 individual cans. Each can is the standard 12-fluid-ounce size.

For those who check product codes, the UPC on the individual cans is 078000037975, while the UPC on the cardboard cartons is 078000037982.

The problem doesn’t affect other 7Up products, but the error was significant enough to trigger an immediate recall.

Who owns 7Up — and why no comment yet?

Buffalo Rock is an independent bottler, not the maker of 7Up’s formula itself. The 7Up brand belongs to Keurig Dr Pepper, while international distribution often involves PepsiCo.

USA TODAY contacted both Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo on Saturday, August 23, for comment, but received no immediate response. That leaves consumers wondering: how did a sugar-filled drink wind up in a can that screams “Zero Sugar”?

What should you do if you have this soda?

The FDA notice doesn’t provide step-by-step instructions for consumers who may have purchased the affected cans. However, the agency generally advises three simple steps when dealing with any recalled food or drink product:

1. Check your product—verify the UPCs and packaging.
   
2. Stop drinking it—to avoid potential health issues, especially if you have diabetes or are on a sugar-restricted diet.
   
3. Return or dispose of the product—most stores will accept returns of recalled products, or you can follow local disposal guidelines.
   

Even though this isn’t a contamination issue like listeria or glass shards—which have sparked recent recalls in cheese, coffee, cookies, and crackers—it’s still a big deal for anyone who relies on accurate labeling.

Why this recall matters

A mistaken label might seem minor at first glance, but for people with health conditions, the difference between “zero sugar” and “full sugar” is more than a technicality. Consuming unexpected sugar can lead to spikes in blood glucose, which can be dangerous for those with diabetes or other metabolic conditions.

This incident also highlights how bottlers, distributors, and brand owners need tight quality control. One labeling slip at a production facility can result in thousands of products being released with misleading information.

Recalls are piling up

This 7Up mix-up comes amid a wave of other product recalls this summer. From Wegmans cheese pulled over listeria concerns to instant coffee recalled for glass contamination, consumers are being urged to regularly check their pantries and refrigerators. Even sugar cookies and Ritz cracker sandwiches have recently been recalled for unexpected allergens or foreign objects.

While those issues may sound more severe than a soda labeling error, the principle is the same: accurate labeling keeps people safe.

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The bottom line

If you’ve recently picked up a 12-pack of 7Up Zero Sugar Tropical Soda in Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, take a close look at those UPCs. If it matches the recalled product—078000037975 for cans or 078000037982 for cartons—don’t crack it open.

It may not make your teeth hurt, but it could make your blood sugar rise.