Coca-Cola Forced to Recall Products Over Potential Foreign Material

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that Coca-Cola was forced to recall some of its products over “potential foreign material,” which includes recalls of Diet Coke, Sprite, and Fanta Orange.

Recall Details

According to an FDA enforcement report, the recall was initiated by Coca-Cola Bottling UNITED in Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. The recall affects 1,557 cases of 12-ounce cans of Sprite, 417 cases of Diet Coke, and 14 cases of Fanta Orange.

The recall was initiated on November 6 and was conducted by United Packers, a firm based in Alabama.

A spokesperson for Coca-Cola stated that the recalled products have been removed from the market and all recall activities in the affected markets have been completed.

Product Information

Consumers who purchased the affected products can identify them by checking the UPC numbers and best-by dates. The recalled Diet Coke has a UPC of 49000028911 with a best-by date of January 29, 2024; the recalled Sprite UPC is 49000028928, with a best-by date of July 29, 2024; and the Fanta Orange UPC code is 49000030730 with a best-by date of July 29, 2024.

Potential Health Risks

The FDA did not disclose the specific details of the “potential foreign material” found in the cans. However, federal agencies typically use these terms to describe metal pieces, plastic fragments, insects, or rubber that may accidentally contaminate packaged items.

The FDA classifies this recall as Class II, indicating that the violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.

Recalls in the Food and Beverage Industry

Recalls due to foreign material contamination are not uncommon in the food and beverage industry. In 2021, Coca-Cola recalled over 7,000 cases of Minute Maid products in multiple states due to similar concerns. Other companies have also faced recalls for mislabeled products or issues with their manufacturing processes.

The FDA emphasizes that it is challenging to produce raw products completely free of non-hazardous, naturally occurring defects. However, products that pose a risk to consumers are subject to regulatory action regardless of whether they exceed action levels.

Other Recent Recalls

In addition to the Coca-Cola recall, several other notable recalls have occurred recently. Prairie Farms Dairy, a dairy company in Illinois, recalled a batch of holiday eggnog due to mislabeling related to egg allergens. Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, announced a recall of over 2 million electric vehicles in the United States to update Autopilot software and address related safety concerns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated accidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

The FDA has also posted voluntary drug recalls initiated by major pharmaceutical companies in recent days.

It is important for consumers to stay informed about product recalls and take appropriate actions if they have purchased affected items.

Reuters contributed to this report.