PepsiCo has issued a major recall affecting nearly 70,000 bottles of its popular Lipton Green Tea Citrus product due to a critical labeling error that could pose health risks for consumers with diabetes. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall involves 2,854 cases of mislabeled 16.9-ounce bottles, which were incorrectly identified as Lipton Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry—a sugar-free product.

In reality, the mislabeled bottles contain 25 grams of sugar per serving. The mislabeling resulted in a mismatch between the bottle’s label and its outer packaging: the 12-pack boxes correctly display "Green Tea Citrus," while the individual bottles inside are erroneously labeled as "Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry."

Where Was It Distributed?

The mislabeled tea was distributed across 10 U.S. states:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• New Mexico
• Utah
• Texas
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Oklahoma
• Wyoming
• South Dakota

The affected bottles bear the sell-by date "DEC 01 25" and production code "HHMM DW 08035". Each case consists of two 12-packs, meaning nearly 70,000 individual bottles are affected.

FDA Classification and Health Implications

The FDA has classified the incident as a Class II recall, indicating that the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences" and presents a risk particularly for those with medical conditions like diabetes, where accurate sugar intake is crucial.

“Even though the probability of serious health consequences is remote, the risk of mismanagement of diabetes due to mislabeled sugar content cannot be ignored,” warns the FDA.

The recall does not include other Lipton products, and so far, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events related to the mislabeled product. However, customers are urged to be cautious and verify the product in their refrigerators or pantries.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you have purchased Lipton 12-packs labeled as Green Tea Citrus, check the individual bottles. If the label reads Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry, you should:

• Not consume the product, especially if you are diabetic or monitoring sugar intake.
• Dispose of the product safely or return it to the retailer for a refund or replacement.

Retailers in the affected states have begun removing the product from shelves. PepsiCo has also issued apologies and assured that they are investigating the root cause of the labeling mishap to prevent future occurrences.

Brand Reputation and Packaging Risks

This incident highlights the importance of accurate product labeling in the food and beverage industry. With rising consumer health concerns and stricter FDA regulations, even minor packaging errors can have significant consequences—both for consumer safety and brand trust.

PepsiCo’s swift response and transparent communication may help contain reputational damage, but the recall serves as a stark reminder for all packaging stakeholders to prioritize quality control, supply chain checks, and packaging verification.