Diet Pepsi recalled for mislabeling

Pepsi Bottling Company is voluntarily recalling certain Diet Pepsi 6 pack products due to mislabeling, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent April 9. The outer wrap of the recalled product incorrectly states "Aspartame Free," but the bottles do contain Diet Pepsi with aspartame. The labels on the individual bottles correctly identify aspartame as an ingredient.

Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, lead consumer safety officer for DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.

The following product is affected by this recall:

• Diet Pepsi 6 pack, 16 ounce bottles: Lot code 0647PS031481 with a “use by” date of June 18

No illnesses have been reported. Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

FDA scientists have reviewed scientific data regarding the safety of aspartame in food and concluded that it is safe for the general population under certain conditions. However, people with a rare hereditary disease known as phenylketonuria (PKU) have a difficult time metabolizing phenylalanine, a component of aspartame, and should control their intake of phenylalanine from all sources, including aspartame. Labels of aspartame-containing foods and beverages must include a statement that informs individuals with PKU that the product contains phenylalanine.

Consumers with questions on the recall may call Pepsi at (800) 433-2652, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.