You grab your usual energy drink. Nothing off. It’s the same can, same flavor, same buzz. But today it comes with a side of alcohol, and suddenly, this isn’t your afternoon pick-me-up anymore. If you took a sip, you’ll soon find out that this one’s not energy, this one’s a crisis.
So, here’s what’s going on: a packaging mix-up is currently under investigation, and a recall is underway. The energy drink in question might still be on some shelves or maybe even in your fridge? You might want to check. Because this time, what’s inside may not match what’s on the label.
The Reports Start Trickling In
There wasn’t a headline or a viral post. No lawsuits or a disgruntled customer complaining. Everything happened behind the scenes. During what should’ve been a routine inspection, something didn’t add up. A few batches were flagged for closer review, and soon, quiet internal notices turned into broader alerts.
Consequently, stores began pulling products, not all at once, but noticeably. Things didn’t fall apart overnight. It started quietly, with small shifts in how the product was handled and where it was sent. Nothing dramatic, but clearly not routine either.
Not Just a Buzz, A Real Concern
As the investigation moved forward, the details became harder to keep quiet. Tests confirmed the presence of alcohol in products never meant to contain it. That raised a whole new set of questions. Who had already bought these? Were any underage customers affected? Imagine the outrage if teetotalers already bought these! Understandably, the companies involved moved into swift action to ensure worst case scenarios never play out.
What’s Inside Was Never Meant to Be
What do we expect to be in our energy drinks? Well, just the usual mix of caffeine, vitamins, and flavoring, right? No one asks for alcohol in their energy drinks, but then that’s what we got this time. That discovery changed everything. It meant the issue wasn’t cosmetic or even accidental at the surface level. Something deeper had gone off course in the production process. And now, what was supposed to be a harmless pick-me-up had crossed a legal line.
Two Brands, One Big Mix-Up
By the time the recall was made public, the brands involved had been identified: Celsius, a major name in energy drinks, and High Noon, a popular vodka-based canned cocktail.
Both products were packaged at the same co-packing facility, and somewhere in the process, their paths crossed…not the introduction they hoped for.
So, the outcome was that cans labeled as Celsius were found to contain High Noon, an alcoholic beverage with very different regulations and intended customers. No one’s calling it sabotage, but it’s not some harmless slip-up either. And for now, Celsius has been pulled from store shelves.
Where Things Went Off Track
The shared facility where this all went down has not been named officially. But then, on paper, the process is clean (or supposed to be). There isn’t supposed to be any way that this mix-up was going to happen. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, those lines blurred. And empty Celsius cans were mistakenly shipped to High Noon, where they were then filled with High Noon vodka seltzer and sealed with silver lids.
It wasn’t intentional and it doesn’t have to be to be this serious. Because once those cans hit stores, anyone could have mistakenly cracked one open and gulped down what they never intended.
Where the Cans Were Sent
The mislabeled cans weren’t limited to one region. They were distributed across Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. That’s a total of 8 and dare we say, a broad reach. Some retailers pulled them quickly after being notified. Others may not have caught it in time. That’s the problem: a quick glance will not reveal anything unusual about these cans. They looked very much like your normal Celsius cans…except the silver lids, though. And not many will catch up quickly with that..
How to Spot a Problem Can
So here’s how you can spot a problem can. Squint closely like you’re decoding ancient scrolls and look specifically, look for lot codes “L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to 3:11”. Then again, the silver (not black) can tops is another give away. Once you have confirmed these, congrats, you’ve got in your hand one of the rogue cans under recall. The chances that you’ve got one is slim, since the companies involved moved swiftly to ensure it doesn’t ever reach you. But it’s still worth confirming that your latest pick-me-up isn’t a culprit.
What Celsius and High Noon Are Saying
Both companies have issued statements, careful but direct. Celsius confirmed the recall and pointed to a third-party facility as the source of the problem. High Noon echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that none of their own labeled products were affected. The shared facility is now under review, and both brands say they’re cooperating fully with regulators. No lawsuits yet, but the legal and public fallout is still taking shape. For now, both companies are focused on pulling the product and restoring trust, and yes, the FDA is fully involved in this.
What This Means for You
If you’ve bought Celsius recently (specifically, the Celsius Astro Vibe Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition), it’s time to take a closer look. When a drink promises energy and focus, the last thing you should have to worry about is finding alcohol inside the can. For parents, for anyone sober, for folks with health conditions, this matters. Check the lot codes, the lid, and if anything matches, don’t drink it. Return it if you can, trash it if you can’t. What’s meant to give you an energy boost and maybe cost you a little sleep shouldn’t be making you tipsy.