Sugar surprise: Dr Pepper Zero Sugar recall affects thousands of cans
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If you’ve been sipping on Dr Pepper Zero Sugar lately, it might be time to take a second look.
A new recall is making waves across several states, and it could affect what's sitting in your fridge right now.
While the issue isn’t immediately obvious, it’s one that could have real health consequences—especially for those keeping a close eye on what they drink.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on, who’s affected, and what you can do to stay safe.
On May 23, 2025, Keurig Dr Pepper—alongside PepsiCo, which handles the bottling—announced a recall involving more than 19,000 cases of 12-ounce cans labeled as Dr Pepper Zero Sugar.
These cans were distributed across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in both 12-pack and 24-pack formats.
The catch?
Some cans labeled “Zero Sugar” were actually filled with regular Dr Pepper, which contains 39 grams of sugar per serving.
That’s a big deal if you’re expecting a sugar-free beverage, particularly for people with diabetes or others watching their sugar intake!
Health risks that shouldn’t be overlooked
For many of our readers, sugar isn’t just a matter of taste—it’s a medical concern.
A surprise dose of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, especially for those managing diabetes or other conditions.
Even if you’re simply trying to make healthier choices, the mislabeling throws a wrench in your routine.
The FDA has labeled this a Class II recall, which means the mistake could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues.
It’s not life-threatening for most people, but it is serious enough to warrant immediate attention.
Also read: Spice rack secrets: Herbs that may support your belly, brain, and more!
How to identify the recalled cans
If you or someone in your household has purchased Dr Pepper Zero Sugar recently, here’s how to tell if you have the affected product:
Also read: How to score free Coke, Dr. Pepper & Sprite all summer—but don’t miss the deadline!
What to do if you find the affected cans
If you live in one of the affected states and have this product at home, here are a few simple steps:
Also read: The Coffee Mate flavor everyone loves is back—with a surprise new addition you’ll want to try!
Food recalls are more common than you think
This recall is far from an isolated case.
According to the FDA, there were 241 food and beverage recalls in 2024—a rise of 8% over the previous year.
Many of them, like this one, involved undeclared ingredients or allergens due to labeling errors or production slip-ups.
Even with strict safety checks in place, large-scale production systems can occasionally let errors slip through.
That’s why staying informed is such an important part of today’s grocery shopping.
How to protect yourself going forward
Recalls are part of our modern food system, but you can take a few easy steps to stay ahead:
At The GrayVine, we’re here to help you stay confident and safe with every sip and bite.
And remember—when something feels off, it’s always worth checking twice.
Read next: Is there more to your food than meets the eye? The hidden benefits you should know
Food and drink recalls can be surprising, inconvenient, and sometimes risky—but they also offer a reminder to stay vigilant and informed. We’d love to hear from you: Have you ever run into a mislabeled product? Do you have any tricks for staying on top of food safety news?
A new recall is making waves across several states, and it could affect what's sitting in your fridge right now.
While the issue isn’t immediately obvious, it’s one that could have real health consequences—especially for those keeping a close eye on what they drink.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on, who’s affected, and what you can do to stay safe.
On May 23, 2025, Keurig Dr Pepper—alongside PepsiCo, which handles the bottling—announced a recall involving more than 19,000 cases of 12-ounce cans labeled as Dr Pepper Zero Sugar.
These cans were distributed across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in both 12-pack and 24-pack formats.
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar is a widely distributed soft drink known for its sugar-free formula. Image Source: YouTube / @drpepper.
The catch?
Some cans labeled “Zero Sugar” were actually filled with regular Dr Pepper, which contains 39 grams of sugar per serving.
That’s a big deal if you’re expecting a sugar-free beverage, particularly for people with diabetes or others watching their sugar intake!
Health risks that shouldn’t be overlooked
For many of our readers, sugar isn’t just a matter of taste—it’s a medical concern.
A surprise dose of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, especially for those managing diabetes or other conditions.
Even if you’re simply trying to make healthier choices, the mislabeling throws a wrench in your routine.
The FDA has labeled this a Class II recall, which means the mistake could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues.
It’s not life-threatening for most people, but it is serious enough to warrant immediate attention.
Also read: Spice rack secrets: Herbs that may support your belly, brain, and more!
How to identify the recalled cans
If you or someone in your household has purchased Dr Pepper Zero Sugar recently, here’s how to tell if you have the affected product:
- Look for product code: XXXXRS05165
- Best-by date: February 16, 2026
- Packaging type: 12-pack or 24-pack of 12 oz cans
- Bottled at: Pepsi facility in Jacksonville, Florida
Also read: How to score free Coke, Dr. Pepper & Sprite all summer—but don’t miss the deadline!
What to do if you find the affected cans
If you live in one of the affected states and have this product at home, here are a few simple steps:
- Don’t drink the soda if it matches the recall code and date.
- Return it to the store where it was purchased or dispose of it safely.
- Keep an eye on other items in case further updates are announced.
- Share the information with anyone you know who may have purchased the product.
Also read: The Coffee Mate flavor everyone loves is back—with a surprise new addition you’ll want to try!
Food recalls are more common than you think
This recall is far from an isolated case.
According to the FDA, there were 241 food and beverage recalls in 2024—a rise of 8% over the previous year.
Many of them, like this one, involved undeclared ingredients or allergens due to labeling errors or production slip-ups.
Even with strict safety checks in place, large-scale production systems can occasionally let errors slip through.
That’s why staying informed is such an important part of today’s grocery shopping.
How to protect yourself going forward
Recalls are part of our modern food system, but you can take a few easy steps to stay ahead:
- Sign up for FDA recall alerts to get notified as soon as something goes wrong.
- Read packaging carefully, even from trusted brands.
- Ask store staff if you’re ever unsure about product safety or recent notices.
- Talk to friends and family—especially those who might not follow recall news closely.
At The GrayVine, we’re here to help you stay confident and safe with every sip and bite.
And remember—when something feels off, it’s always worth checking twice.
Read next: Is there more to your food than meets the eye? The hidden benefits you should know
Food and drink recalls can be surprising, inconvenient, and sometimes risky—but they also offer a reminder to stay vigilant and informed. We’d love to hear from you: Have you ever run into a mislabeled product? Do you have any tricks for staying on top of food safety news?
