SoBe Recalls Green Tea, Energy Drinks Containing OTC Drug 33688

SoBe Recalls Green Tea, Energy Drinks Containing OTC Drug

NORWALK, Conn.--South Beach Beverage Co. (SoBe), a division ofPepsiCo, voluntarily recalled as many as 5,700 cases of SoBe Green Tea and 1,500cases of SoBe Energy in 20-ounce glass bottles due to the "accidentalpresence" of dextromethorphyan, a drug usually found in over-the-counter(OTC) cold and cough medications. The chemical imparts a slight to intensebitter taste and may alter the color of affected beverages. Consumed in largequantities, the substance may cause light-headedness, nausea or other reversiblesymptoms. When consumed in combination with other medications, especiallyantidepressants, the drinks could lead to more serious health risks.

The affected cases had been distributed primarily to convenience stores andother retail outlets in 11 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Affectedgreen teas carried a production code of SEP2203 XXXXFG09162A3; affected energybeverages carried the code SEP2203 XXXXFG09172B3.

A few customers have reported nausea, vomiting, numbness and light-headednessfor a short time after consuming these beverages, but no other seriouscomplaints have been logged.

The recall can be found at www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sobe12_02.html.