Several soft drink products that were recalled earlier this year have now been classified by their risk level by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to notices posted on June 3.
The drinks were produced by Charles Boggini Company and include the Pink Lemonade, Yellow Lemonade, and Yellow Lemonade X. The firm’s website says that the products are not sold directly to consumers, but are distributed to other manufacturers and retailers.
One of the products, the Yellow Lemonade X, falls under a Class III recall for “undeclared undeclared FD&C Yellow No. 5,” said the FDA’s enforcement report. The Pink Lemonade and Yellow Lemonade fall under a Class II recall, with the Pink Lemonade being flagged for “undeclared FD&C Red No. 40” and the Yellow Lemonade containing “undeclared sulfites,” according to the FDA.
FD&C Red 40, or E129, is a red food-coloring product that is used in a number of products, and the FDA mandates that the dye be declared when being used as an ingredient. Some studies and health officials say that it can be linked to allergies, migraines, and mental disorders such as ADHD.
As for FD&C Yellow No. 5, it’s a a synthetic food dye used in soda, colored candy, and a number of other food products. Some studies have said it can lead to allergic reactions or other reactions in people who have asthma or aspirin intolerance.
The FDA requires that all color additives be declared by their listed names on product labels for consumers.
Sulfites, which are salts used to preserve foods, can cause allergic skin reactions, digestive problems, stomach pain, or respiratory issues in some individuals, studies and health officials have said. The FDA requires that food companies alert consumers to their presence when the concentration exceeds a certain amount.
According to the FDA, all three recalls were voluntary and were initiated by the company several months ago. The FDA classified the recalls as a possible health hazard on June 3, FDA documents showed.
The soft drink products were recalled across several states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to the FDA enforcement reports.
A Class II recall means the use of a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health problems, while the chance of major adverse health events is small, according to the FDA’s website.
A Class III recall, meanwhile, is “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences,” said the FDA.
Under the FDA’s guidelines, Class I is considered most serious form of recall and is used when a product has an elevated chance of triggering a serious health problem or death.
Other Recall Notices
Last month, the FDA said that about 1.9 million bottles of Fiji Water that were recalled across the United States fall under a Class III recall after testing found a mineral and three types of bacteria. The company said in a statement that it poses “no health or safety risk.”It added further that there “is no health or safety risk posed from manganese or bacteria in the recalled lots of FIJI Water. Moreover, FIJI Water conducts regular testing to ensure consumers enjoy the soft, smooth taste of FIJI Water that they expect and love.”
The impact bottles of Fiji Water were sold between Feb. 1 and March 3, 2024, the firm said in its statement.
