The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls for 28 beverages so far in 2024, according to a report by The Daily Mail. The majority of these recalls were due to undisclosed or harmful ingredients, including drugs, bacteria, and harmful chemicals.
Among the recalled beverages is a pain-relieving tea named Himalayan pain relief tea. The product failed to disclose the presence of an anti-inflammatory medication in its ingredients. Martinelli’s Apple Juice was also recalled due to the presence of arsenic, a toxic metal linked to an increased risk of bladder and skin cancer.
Natural Waters of Viti Limited, the producer of Fiji Water, recalled approximately 1.9 million bottles after the discovery of three types of bacteria and high levels of the mineral manganese, which can cause brain damage in excessive amounts.
Four beverages produced by Charles Boggini Company, including Pink Lemonade, Yellow Lemonade, Yellow Lemonade X, and Cola Flavoring Base, were recalled due to undisclosed food dyes associated with cancer risk. The dyes, Red40 and Yellow 5, contain benzidine, a substance known to be carcinogenic to humans and animals.
The Cola Flavoring Base was also found to contain undeclared sulfites, preservatives that can cause allergic skin reactions, digestive issues, and asthma in individuals with sulfite sensitivity, as per the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Detwiler, a former FDA and USDA advisor and food safety expert at Northeastern University in Boston, stated that beverages are sometimes sold to the public without proper checks. He noted that recent scrutiny of beverages is largely due to issues with labeling and undeclared ingredients.
The FDA is under increasing pressure to enforce stricter regulations on food and beverage companies, according to Detwiler. Some of the beverages recalled this year include Schweppes Zero Sugar Gingerale, PepsiCo’s Mug Root Beer, Martinelli’s Apple Juice, Natural Waters of Viti Limited’s Fiji Water, and several products from Charles Boggini Company.