If it’s a can of Coca-Cola, Coke Zero or Sprite sold in Texas with specific lot codes, check before you stock.
What’s happened
- Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LLC- a Dallas based bottler/distributor of Coca-Cola products, initiated a recall on October 3, 2025 of specific batches of three popular sodas: Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Coca‑Cola (classic), and Sprite.- The recall affects more than4,000 cans, sold in Texas, specifically in the Rio Grande Valley/McAllen and San Antonioareas.- The problem: possible presence ofmetal fragments/foreign metal materialinside the cans, raising internal‐injury or chokingrisk.
Classification and risk level
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the recall asClass II. That means “use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences isremote.- According to health.com: “While the risk of serious health consequences is considered remote, the recall is still significant as contaminated products may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse effects
Which products / codes are involved
Here are the key affected SKUs and packagingcodes:
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, 12-oz cans in12-pack: UPC 49000042559 / lot code FEB0226MAA
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, 12-oz cans in35-pack: UPC 49000058499 / lot code FEB0226MAA
- Coca-Cola (classic), 12-oz cans in24-pack: UPC 49000012781 / lot code JUN2926MAA
- Coca-Cola (classic), 12-oz cans in35-pack: UPC 49000058468 / lot code JUN2926MAA
- Sprite, 12-oz cans in35-pack: UPC 49000058482 / lot code JUN2926MAA
- Sprite, 12-oz cans in12-pack: UPC 49000028928 / lot code JUN2926MAA AND also another code JUN3026MAB
No other Coca-Cola brand products or other states (outside Texas) are explicitly named in the recall notice so far.
What consumers should do
- If you purchased one of the affected cans:Do not drink it. Return it to the place of purchase or dispose of it. The affected product may pose a risk of internal injury if metal fragments arepresent.
- Monitor for any symptoms if you’ve consumed one of the affected cans. If you suspect ingestion of metal fragments or feel discomfort, contact a healthcare provider. (Though to date there are*no publicly reported injuries*in this particularrecall).
Bigger picture
- This is not the first time Coca-Cola has had to issue a recall due to foreign matter or contamination in cans/bottles. It underscores the challenges even large global brands face in ensuring consistency and safety across complex manufacturing/distributionnetworks.
- The fact the recall is classified as Class II means the regulator judges the chance of*serious*harm as remote but the potential for harm (especially from metal in a beverage) is non-negligible and merits consumer attention.
- The recall is geographically limited (Texas only, for now) and limited in scope (specific lot codes, certain packaging sizes) which somewhat limits the direct consumer impact, but all the same for people in the affected region / with the affected product, vigilance is important.
What’s next
- It would be prudent for Coca-Cola (and its bottlers) to conduct full root-cause analysis: how did metal fragments get into the production/distribution chain? Are there upstream supplier or packaging issues? Are the same/broader batches at risk?
- Consumers outside Texas may want to check with retailers or distributor statements in their states just in case of expansion of the recall though currently no indication of that.- Retailers should verify removal of affected product from shelves and disposal or return per manufacturer guidance.
- For consumers: always check lot codes/UPCs when recall notices are issued, and keep receipts or purchase records just in case.
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