Health officials have recalled 19,203 12-ounce cans of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar after discovering that they are ‘full of sugar’.
The Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of the 12-pack and 24-pack cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar last month.
However, the federal agency updated the severity of the recall to Class II – meaning that the use of any Dr Pepper Zero Sugar can cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
The recalled cans were produced by the Pepsi Beverages Company in Jacksonville, Florida and were sold to retailers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
The term ‘Zero Sugar’ indicates that the product has been made with no sugar in any form.
However, since these cans have been mislabeled and found to contain the same amount of sugar as a regular Dr Pepper can, they can create a grave health risk for diabetics or others who need to limit their sugar intake.
A regular 12-ounce can of Dr. Pepper contains 39 grams of sugar, according to its nutrition facts label.
The recalled Dr Pepper Zero Sugar cans have the product code XXXXRS05165 with a ‘best by’ date of Feb. 16, 2026.
The Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of the 12-pack and 24-pack cases of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar
Although this notice doesn’t advise what to do if with the recalled soda, the FDA notes on its website that recalled products can often be returned to the store where they were purchased.
If that is not possible, the agency recommends safely disposing the product.
No other Dr Pepper Zero Sugar cases or Dr Pepper products have been impacted by this recall, the agency noted.
According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams or 150 calories of sugar per day while women should consume no more than 25 grams or 100 calories per day.
Excess sugar consumption can pave the way for weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease and insulin resistance which can cause Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition and over 37 million American adults suffer from this form of the chronic illness.
It is caused by either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body’s cells not responding properly to insulin.
When you eat sugar, your body breaks it down into glucose which the enters your bloodstream for energy absorption.
To regulate blood sugar levels, the pancreas releases insulin, which helps glucose enter your cells for energy.
But consuming excessive amounts of sugar can make the body resistant to insulin, meaning it can’t effectively use the insulin to lower blood sugar.
This leads to high blood sugar levels and a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, which can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
The recalles comes weeks after about 150,000 low-income Nebraska residents will soon be barred from buying soda and energy drinks under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams or 150 calories of sugar per day while women should consume no more than 25 grams or 100 calories per day
The first-of-its-kind ban will become effective starting January 1, 2026 and last for at least two years.
At least five other Republican states are in talks to roll out similar measures.
Additional details about the Nebraska ban have yet to be revealed by state officials, but Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said in a statement: ‘There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks.
‘SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver.’
Serving nearly 42 million Americans, SNAP helps low-income families purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snacks and plants.
It is run by the USDA and administered through individual states. In general, benefits are available to people with an income at or below about $33,500 a year for three people in a household.
