Food News

Capri Sun Has Been Recalled Because It’s Diluted With Cleaning Solution

2004 called and quite literally wants its juice back.

August 17, 2022
Photo by Bobbi Lin

Here comes the sun and I say, it’s actually not all right. More than five thousand cases of Capri Sun—5,760 to be exact—have been recalled due to possible contamination of cleaning solution. While I respect Kraft Heinz’s rigorous attempt to deep clean their production facilities, I think even Danny Tanner would agree that this takes it one step too far. According to Kraft Heinz, which owns Capri Sun, among other food brands from my childhood like Ore-Ida, Jello-O, and Kool-Aid, the “all natural” juice packs were taken off shelves after customers complained that Wild Cherry tasted off.

Upon further investigation, the company found that, no, it wasn’t the essence of “Tame Cherry” causing the funky flavor but rather, that a “diluted cleaning solution, which is used on food processing equipment, was inadvertently introduced into a production line at one of our factories.” At this time, there have been no reports of illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths. Fruit punch lovers, fear not–only Wild Cherry-flavored Capri Sun was impacted by this sanitary flub.

So how can you tell if you have contaminated product? Only the 6.6-ounce size pouches of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend have been recalled; the packaging includes individual foil pouches packed in paperboard cartons. The “Best When Used By” date on the products is June 25, 2023. If you’d like to cross-reference the manufacturer code on your own product with the contaminated product, check out the full Kraft Heinz statement here. (If you’re wondering, Kraft Heinz is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards, according to a press release).

In the meantime, you can make your own version of homemade Capri Sun using just five ingredients: water, lemon juice, sugar, fresh strawberries, and kiwis. As for the signature drink pouches, you can buy those too. Take them to the beach or, realistically, your next birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese (and invite me, please).

When was the last time you drank Capri Sun? Share your juiciest childhood memories in the comments below.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Erika Hobbs
    Erika Hobbs
  • Tobi wan kenobi
    Tobi wan kenobi
Former Food52 Staff Editor

4 Comments

Erika H. August 29, 2022
Hey, wait a minute. I get what you're trying to do with humor and pushing your content. But with this line: "While I respect Kraft Heinz’s rigorous attempt to deep clean their production facilities, I think even Danny Tanner would agree that this takes it one step too far..." you're questioning the move to protect consumers from something potentially dangerous. You do qualify it later on by mentioning that no one is sick, but they could be. Or could have been. And that's the point of responsible commerce-- to admit wrong and take steps to correct it. Your post, however, ridicules the decision and makes far too light of a potentially serious situation. Can you poke fun? Sure. But there is a limit, even when you need content. And that limit is health integrity and human life.
 
Tobi W. December 21, 2022
Please move on with your life and stop being so b**t hurt about a simple sentence. I believe the writer did a perfect job in this article and chose the right tempo for the situation. Stop wasting your time with comments like this so I can stop wasting my time replying to comments like this. Merry Christmas and a jolly New Year.
Sincerely, Tobi Wan Kenobi.
 
Erika H. December 21, 2022
Exactly: You choose to spend your time. Also, this is from August, not Christmas.Also, journalists, which is what she claims to be, are impartial, independent, and do no harm. This: "Upon further investigation, the company found that, no, it wasn’t the essence of “Tame Cherry” causing the funky flavor but rather, that a “diluted cleaning solution, which is used on food processing equipment, was inadvertently introduced into a production line at one of our factories." is none of the above. Is it a column? No. It's "content," which should be held to the same journalistic standard. Your insults are meaningless, Tobi W. Bullying gets you nowhere.
 
Tobi W. December 21, 2022
You replied in less than 30 minutes…. I’m so glad you did, as it proved what I predicted. Also, the only bully was your original comment, the only one comment of this “journal” was motivated into shaming the article because of one sentence that didn’t seem to fit your “standards”…My last remarks in my reply was in spirit of the Holidays btw given the date of response! ;)
I’ll be looking forward to your fast reply’s.
Godspeed!
~T. Kenobi