In late July 2025, High Noon announced a voluntary recall after a surprising discovery: some cans labeled as Celsius® Astro Vibe™ Sparkling Blue Razz (a caffeine-packed energy drink) were actually filled with High Noon vodka seltzer. The U.S. FDA bulletin explains that empty Celsius cans (with silver tops) were mistakenly shipped to High Noon’s plant, where they were filled with the alcoholic seltzer. High Noon’s announcement makes clear that drinking these cans would mean “unintentional alcohol ingestion.” For now, the FDA notes no illnesses or adverse effects have been reported from this mix-up.
Celsius drinkers, however, are rightly alarmed. A 12‑oz can of Celsius Astro Vibe normally contains about 200–270 mg of caffeine, giving an energy boost, whereas a High Noon vodka seltzer is 4.5% alcohol by volume. In other words, someone expecting a jolt of caffeine could unknowingly end up with a hard seltzer in hand. This matters because it poses safety risks: minors, drivers, or anyone avoiding alcohol (for health, pregnancy, or medication reasons) could be inadvertently exposed to booze. As The Cut summed it up, “the effects are a bit different” when your “energy drink” has alcohol.
Affected Products – Check Your Drinks
The recall specifically covers:
- Celsius ASTRO VIBE Sparkling Blue Razz (12-oz cans) – Check for a silver lid instead of the normal black top. The lot codes (laser-etched on the bottom) for affected cans run from L CCB 02JL25 2:55 through L CCB 02JL25 3:11.
- High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs (12‑oz cans) – Pack UPC 085000040065, lot codes L CCC 17JL25 14:00–23:59 and L CCC 18JL25 00:00–03:00. These 12-packs contained a mix of vodka seltzers, including the mislabeled Celsius cans.
These items were shipped nationwide: distributors in FL, MI, NY, OH, OK, SC, VA, and WI received the affected packs between July 21–23, 2025. (Note: Even outside of variety packs, double-check any Celsius Blue Razz cans – silver lids with those lot codes – before opening.)
What You Should Do Now
- Do not drink any suspect cans. If you own a Sparkling Blue Razz Celsius can with a silver top (or have one from a Beach Variety 12-pack in the recall lots), throw it away or return it. Do not consume the contents.
- Contact retailer/manufacturer. Return the affected product to the store or contact High Noon’s Consumer Relations (consumerrelations@highnoonvodka.com) for a refund or replacement. Have the can’s lot code and purchase details ready when you call.
- Check other products. Look at any recently bought Celsius Blue Razz cans (even outside variety packs) – if the lid is silver, it’s suspect. No other Celsius flavors or products are involved, only this specific Blue Razz edition with the marked lot codes.
- Stay alert. Follow FDA and High Noon updates on this recall, and if you see any mislabeled drink or experience any health effects, report it (see below). Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to this error so far, but quick action helps ensure safety.
Staying Informed & Reporting Problems
- Recall Apps & Websites: Install a recall alert app or bookmark reliable sites. For example, the free Food Recalls & Alerts app (by FoodSafety.gov) pulls in FDA/USDA recall data and sends real-time push notifications. If you’ve scanned a product with this app before a recall, it will even email you an alert. The FDA and FoodSafety.gov websites list ongoing recalls, and the unified recalls.gov portal offers email updates under its “Food” category.
- Barcode Scanners: Some shopping apps (like Yuka) can warn you of recalls when you scan an item’s barcode. The Yuka app, for instance, now pops up FDA recall info if you scan a product on its list. These tools are a handy extra check for any food or drink you buy.
- Report Issues: If you or someone else did consume a mislabeled can (especially with unexpected intoxication or other symptoms), report the incident. You can use the FDA’s Report a Problem portal (Safety Reporting SmartHub) or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. This notifies regulators of any adverse effects. Also notify the place of purchase and email High Noon (as above) – they will help with refunds and track any other issues.
How Such Mix-Ups Happen & Preventing Them
Packaging errors can occur in complex supply chains. Shared can suppliers service many beverage brands, so a misdelivered batch can end up at the wrong plant. In this case, a third-party supplier accidentally shipped empty Celsius cans to High Noon, causing the mislabeled fill-in. Human error and minimal label checks let them slip through.
To prevent repeats, companies are looking at tech fixes and tighter processes:
- Better Tracking: Ideas include printing unique QR/RFID tags on empty cases so a production line scanner can confirm can type before filling. Some beverage experts suggest blockchain or IoT tracking for bulk shipments, so a tablet or handheld scanner can instantly flag a wrong-can mismatch.
- Automated Inspections: Upgrading vision systems on filling lines to detect odd lids or label colors – for example, a camera could reject any silver-lidded can in a Celsius run. Similarly, weight-check scales or sensors could notice a lighter vodka mix in an energy drink line (or vice versa).
- Stricter Audits: More frequent audits and communication with suppliers can help. Ensuring that empty cans are triple-checked against orders can catch errors en route. Cross-brand audits (or even physical tamper-evident seals) might reduce mix-ups.
Tip for Consumers: When in doubt, inspect your drink. A silver lid on a Celsius can is an immediate red flag. Keep your phone handy with a recall app or visit FDA/recall sites to verify products. And don’t hesitate to report any odd products through the FDA portal or to the manufacturer — your vigilance can help keep the supply chain honest.