Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Dr Pepper Company jointly issued a recall notice for Dr Pepper Zero Sugar (zero sugar version of Dr Pepper) drinks, and upgraded the recall to Class II on June 5, indicating that the product may pose a health risk to some consumers, especially diabetic patients.
Overview of the recall event
- Recall time and scope
On May 23, 2025, the FDA and Dr Pepper Company announced the first voluntary recall of more than 19,000 cans of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar drinks. These drinks are mainly distributed in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, with packaging specifications of 12 or 24 cans, each with a capacity of 12 ounces. The batch number of the affected product is XXXXRS05165, and the best consumption date is marked as February 16, 2026. - Recall reason
Although the product is advertised as “zero sugar”, testing found that its sugar content is comparable to the classic version of Dr Pepper. This information is particularly dangerous for diabetics and people who are sensitive to sugar, because excessive sugar intake can cause blood sugar to fluctuate sharply and affect health. - FDA recall level upgrade
On June 5, the FDA upgraded this recall to Class II, which means that the use or contact of the product may cause temporary or reversible health problems. The possibility of serious health consequences is low, but it is still necessary to be highly vigilant.
Impact of the recall on consumers
Diabetics and consumers who are sensitive to sugar should immediately check the product in their hands to confirm whether it belongs to the recalled batch and avoid continuing to drink it. Although ordinary consumers are at lower risk, they should also pay attention to the ingredients of the product to avoid accidental ingestion.
Background: Food recall trends and other recent recall events
In recent years, food recalls have occurred frequently. According to compliance firm Traceone, the number of food recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture increased by 15% between 2020 and 2024. The reasons for the recalls vary, including ingredient contamination and production environment sanitation issues.
Other recent important recall cases include:
- Topo Chico Mineral Water
Coca-Cola voluntarily recalled Topo Chico Mineral Water from 40 Costco stores in Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas due to potential Pseudomonas contamination. The bacteria can be fatal to those with weakened immune systems. - Egg Recall
August Egg Company in Hilmar, California, recalled approximately 1.7 million dozen brown organic and caged eggs due to possible salmonella contamination, involving sales at multiple retailers in California and Nevada. - Tostitos Corn Flakes Recall
Some Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Flakes are being recalled in multiple states because they contain unlabeled milk ingredients that may cause severe allergic reactions. - Nestlé Frozen Meals Recall
Nestlé USA is recalling some Lean Cuisine and Stouffer’s frozen meals because they may contain wood foreign matter, involving multiple products and multiple retail channels.
The Dr Pepper Zero Sugar recall reminds consumers, especially those with special health needs, to be vigilant and carefully check product information when purchasing and consuming products labeled “zero sugar” or “sugar-free”. Strengthening food safety supervision and consumers’ self-protection awareness are equally important to effectively prevent potential health risks.
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