You grab a cold can from the fridge, blue raspberry, your go-to flavor. Crack it open, take a sip… and something’s off. Not just flat or weirdly sweet, but strong. Like, alcohol strong. That’s the situation now unfolding across several states, where what looked like a harmless energy drink turned out to be something entirely different. A major recall is now underway, and if you’ve picked up Celsius lately, this might affect you. Why? Let’s just say some of these cans were not energy drinks. They were something else entirely. Here’s what you need to know before you take your next sip.
What Was Found Inside
Sure, the label said “energy,” but the liquid inside said “vodka.” And not the watered-down kind either, real vodka seltzer, packed into cans that were supposed to be non-alcoholic. People expecting a midday boost were unknowingly cracking open booze. Nothing on the can said booze. There were no labels to warn you about it, only a surprise you didn’t ask for. It’s the kind of mix-up you’d think only happens in movies, but here we are, and this is no drama flick with a surprise twist.
How It Was Discovered
It didn’t unfold the way these things usually do. No one found out mid-sip. The first red flag came behind the scenes. Someone opened a Celsius can during a routine inspection and noticed something wasn’t right, i.e., the liquid didn’t match the label. Tests didn’t leave much room for doubt. What was inside wasn’t caffeine at all; it was vodka.
That small catch turned into a major discovery. Because once they started checking more cans, they found it wasn’t an isolated mistake. It was a packaging error big enough to trigger a nationwide recall.
Who’s Behind the Mistake
It wasn’t Celsius, and it wasn’t High Noon, at least not directly. The real issue came from a shared packaging facility. The trouble started at a packaging facility used by both brands. Somewhere along the line, empty Celsius cans ended up getting filled with vodka. Because of the mix-up, some Celsius-labeled cans were filled with High Noon vodka seltzer. Although no one meant for it to happen, it did. And while most consumers never think about packaging lines, this mistake made itself known in a very real way.
The Brands Involved
Let’s talk about the two brands at the center of all this. Celsius makes energy drinks with bright cans, bold flavors, a loyal fitness crowd, and plenty of college fans. High Noon focuses on vodka seltzers that are light, fruity, refreshing, and definitely alcoholic. The two have nothing to do with each other, until now, and what an introduction it is!
So, it’s not like they were teaming up on any secret drink collab. But thanks to a shared packaging facility, their worlds accidentally collided. Some Celsius-labeled cans got filled with High Noon vodka, and now both brands are caught in the fallout. Celsius didn’t fill the cans, but their name was on them. And that’s what made this a headline.
Where the Affected Products Were Sold
They were shipped out fast, stocked in grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor retailers before anyone knew something was off. Distributed between July 21 and July 23, they landed in states like Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. If you picked up a Celsius Beach Variety 12-pack in late July, this could involve you. The issue wasn’t widespread coast to coast (thankfully), but it was big enough to trigger a national recall and raise questions about what else might’ve slipped through.
How to Spot the Recalled Cans
At first glance, they look normal. But there are two big clues. First, the can tops, real Celsius drinks have black tops. The recalled ones have Silver. Second, check the lot codes etched near the bottom. Affected cans fall under codes like “L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to 3:11.” These cans were part of High Noon’s Beach Pack, not a stand-alone Celsius pack. If that combo sounds weird, it is. That’s your cue to double-check what’s sitting in your fridge, or already in your trash.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about labels or legal fine print. It’s about people drinking alcohol without knowing it. Kids grabbing a can after soccer practice. Someone on medication. Someone who’s sober. Someone who’s religious and a teetotaler.
It goes beyond a mix-up. One wrong can could mean real consequences.
A packaging slip might sound like a brand problem, but it’s regular people who deal with the fallout. That’s why this recall matters. Nobody’s saying panic. But let’s be honest, this should’ve been caught before it ever hit a shelf.
What to Do If You Bought One
Don’t guess, check. If you bought a Celsius 12-pack recently, especially the Beach Variety, look closely. Silver top? Weird lot code? Toss it. Don’t drink it just to “see.” High Noon is asking consumers to dispose of affected cans and contact their consumer relations line for a refund or next steps. The FDA has posted full recall details online. And even if your cans look fine, this is one of those moments where it pays to slow down and double-check.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to brush this off as a one-time slip, but it highlights something bigger: how much trust we put in labels, and how fast that trust can break. One mix-up at a shared facility, and suddenly you’re drinking vodka at noon on a Tuesday without knowing it. You can call it a recall if you want, but let’s be real, this was a breakdown in how things are supposed to work. Hopefully, this one gets cleaned up quickly. But maybe it’s also a reminder: read the fine print. And when something feels off, it probably is.