COCA-Cola has confirmed it is recalling thousands of cans of a fan-favourite drink after labelling it incorrectly.
The beverage giant issued a recall for the drink last month after its “misleading” label sparked “health hazard” concerns.
Coca-Cola has issued a product recall[/caption]
Some 13,152 cans of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade were found to have 40 grams of sugar[/caption]
Despite being a sugar-free drink, some 13,152 cans of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade were found to have 40 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can.
It is the same amount of sugar found in four standard Kirspey Kreme doughnuts or an entire glass of a McDonald’s McFlurry.
The brand’s full-sugar lemonade drinks also contain the same amount of sugar.
The mislabeled product was shipped to retail stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, according to an FDA alert.
It is understood that all the affected cases have now been removed from shelves.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said in a statement: “In September, Coca-Cola Consolidated voluntarily recalled a limited quantity of Minute Maid Lemonade 12-ounce cans in parts of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
“No impacted product remains in the market, and all recall activities in those markets are complete.”
Customers who purchased the drinks have now been urged to throw them away.
They can also return them to the place of purchase and seek a full refund.
FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning it “involves a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from use of the product”.
Such mistakes could affect customers with health issues such as diabetes who may consume the drink believing it has zero sugar.
It comes after Coca-Cola pulled the plug on one of its flavours just six months after introducing it as a permanent addition to its lineup.
The decision comes as a surprise as the flavor was aimed at attracting younger consumers.
Coca-Cola said in a statement that the decision is part of its ongoing strategy to cater to customer preferences.
“We’re always looking at what our customers like and adjusting,” the company said.
As part of that strategy, Coca-Cola Spiced will be phased out to make room for a new, yet-to-be-announced flavor set to launch in 2025.
When it was first introduced, global brand senior director at Coca-Cola, Oana Vlad, said: “It’s Coca-Cola with a twist.”
The short-lived Spiced soda was introduced in February with great fanfare.
