Sources and method

How the checker matches your code

In plain English, in the order we apply them:

1. We tidy what you typed: capital letters, no extra spaces, dashes, dots or words like “Lot” or “Best by”. If you pasted a date too, we set it aside.
2. We look for two letters and six numbers in either order (DL 091026 or 091026 DL). The letters must be one of the plant codes on the list: DL, DT, TL, OA or KM.
3. If a character looks like another one, we try the obvious fix only where it makes sense: a letter O in the numbers becomes a zero, a 0 in the letters becomes the letter O. We always show you how we read it.
4. Six numbers on the list, letters that match and your flavor: YES. Six numbers alone (no letters) that match: YES, and we tell you which letters to expect.
5. Numbers on the list but different letters, a different flavor, or a different date on the same line: NOT SURE, with what to recheck.
6. Two neighbouring numbers swapped (for example 019026 for 091026): NOT SURE, “did you mean”. A code one day off is not treated as a typo: bottles made the day before or after are real, non-recalled lots.
7. Not on the list: NO. A 12 to 14 digit number is the barcode, not the lot code, so we ask for the neck code instead.
8. Only the best-taste date: never YES. If a recalled lot of your flavor has that date, NOT SURE (and we name the codes to look for); if none does, NO.

FDA and Gatorade don't list the same lots

The FDA's report for H-0009-2027 lists 15 lots. Gatorade's notice lists 16 and adds OA 082326 (Orange, best-taste APR 18 27). We use both lists together and show which source names each lot. The FDA writes codes as “Lot 091026 DL - JUN 07 27” (numbers first); Gatorade writes “DL 091026” (letters first), which is how we show them. The checker accepts both.

What hasn't been published yet

As of Oct 6, 2026, we couldn't find these in the FDA or Gatorade pages, so we don't guess:

• Not published UPC barcodes. Neither source lists them, so the checker doesn't match barcodes.
• Not published Refund or return instructions. No FDA press release was issued, and Gatorade's notice has no instructions. Call Gatorade at 1-800-884-2867.
• Our best reading Exactly where the production code is printed. Gatorade says the top line on the neck is the best-taste date; we found no photo of the code line, so our drawing is labeled “may look slightly different”.
• Not published When Gatorade posted its notice. The page shows no date.
• Out of scope Health effects. We only quote the FDA's Class II definition. Ask a health care provider.

The recall wasn't in the openFDA database yet when we checked (its data was last updated September 23, 2026), so we read the FDA's Enforcement Report (opens in a new tab) directly.

How we keep it current

Before every update we reopen both source pages and compare their lot lists with ours, code by code. If either source adds or removes a lot, we update this site and note it below. Our automated tests also check our list against copies of both pages saved on Oct 6, 2026.

Update log

• Oct 6, 2026: Launched. All 16 lots checked against FDA Enforcement Report H-0009-2027 (15 lots) and Gatorade's recall notice (16 lots, adds OA 082326).

Who we are

This checker is made by plusbeauxjours, an independent publisher of small, free tools. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. FDA, PepsiCo or Gatorade. Gatorade is a trademark of its owner. This is not medical or legal advice. What you type stays in your browser: we don't send or store it. More on the About page.