Because of a supply-chain error, consumers of a well-known energy drink might be unintentionally opening a can of alcohol.
Certain 12-packs of High Noon’s vodka seltzers are being recalled since they didn’t only come in a range of fruit flavors: According to the corporation, some of them also included cocktail cans that were mistakenly labeled as Celsius energy drinks, a completely other brand.
High Noon is recalling an unknown quantity of what it refers to as beach variety packs that were shipped to retailers in Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin between July 21 and July 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday.
“Some of these packs contain cans that are filled with High Noon vodka seltzer alcohol and are mislabeled as CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition with a silver top,” the Food and Drug Administration stated.
To put it another way, a buyer of a variety pack of High Noon hard seltzers—which are supposed to be a blend of flavors—may have ended up with some cans of an energy drink with a blue raspberry flavor that Celsius refers to as “inspired by the infinite adventure of space travel.” However, some caffeine-seekers may be consuming spiked seltzer instead of that since it isn’t what’s actually in the cans in those recalled packs.
How did this mixed-drink mix-up happen?
Despite being produced by separate businesses, Celsius and High Noon use the same third-party packaging provider.
Celsius stated in a statement that High Noon’s production plant received empty energy drink cans from the packaging supplier by mistake. High Noon then filled the cans with vodka seltzer and packaged them into its 12-packs.
Celsius claims to have started a joint inquiry with Gallo, the parent company of High Noon, and the third-party can supplier.
Gallo spokesman Krista Fontana told NPR, “We are proactively managing the recall to ensure the safety and well-being of our consumers in collaboration with the FDA, retailers, and distributors.”
According to the FDA, no adverse reactions or illnesses have been documented.
Celsius drinks, which have 200–270 mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as a normal cup of coffee, are becoming more and more popular among members of Generation Z, fitness fanatics, and even Capitol Hill lawmakers:According to a Washington Post article this year, House Speaker Mike Johnson keeps a supply in his office refrigerator, and the drink is offered for sale at the Senate refectory and in a Celsius vending machine in the House of Representatives basement.
High Noon hard seltzers have an alcohol content of 4.5% ABV and are advertised as having vodka and real fruit juice. According to Impact Databank data, they were the best-selling spirit brand in the United States by volume by 2022 after initially entering the market in 2019.
What should consumers do?
Only two production lots are impacted by the recall; these lots are identified by the codes L CCC 17JL25 14:00 to L CCC 17JL25 23:59 and L CCC 18JL25 00:00 to L CCC 18JL25 03:00, which are located on top of the High Noon box. The FDA’s release includes images as well.
However, even if they weren’t included in a variety pack, Celsius and the FDA advise consumers to look at the lot codes and lid colors on every can of Celsius Astro Vibe in the Sparkling Blue Razz flavor.
Note that regular products have black lids. “Check for the presence of a silver lid or the bottom of the can for lot codes L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11; both are signs that the product is affected,” Celsius advises.
Customers who unwittingly bought the impacted items are advised by the FDA to avoid consuming the beverage in the energy drink can due to the risk of “unintentional alcohol ingestion.”
For additional information regarding the following steps, including refunds, it advises customers to get in touch with High Noon Consumer Relations ([email protected]).
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