AG Barr Rubicon Drink Recall: 4 Batches Affected, What to Do (Nov. 5, 2026)

Last verified: November 5, 2026, 9:13 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00), United Kingdom.

AG Barr has recalled specific 1-liter cartons of Rubicon Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit in the United Kingdom after regulators warned that the drink may contain sulfites not declared on its label. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published allergy alert FSA-AA-51-2026 on November 4, 2026, identifying four affected batch codes. People with sensitivity to sulfur dioxide or sulfites should not consume the affected drink and can return it to the store for a full refund.

The recall is tied to a particular flavor, package size, and set of batch codes—not a blanket warning about every Rubicon drink. Customers should check both the code and the best-before month on their carton rather than relying on the brand name alone. Food Standards Scotland has issued a matching alert for the same four batches.

Destaques — Key facts

• Recalled item: Rubicon Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit, 1-liter cartons.
• Affected batch codes: 6160, 6198, 6219, and 6257, with best-before dates from June through September 2027.
• Reason: Potential undeclared sulfites, which can pose a health risk to people sensitive to sulfites or sulfur dioxide.
• What to do: Do not drink an affected carton if you have that sensitivity; return the carton to the retailer for a full refund.

Which Rubicon drinks are affected by the AG Barr recall?

The FSA's November 4 notice lists one named product in one package size, across four production batches. Match the printed batch code to the corresponding best-before date in the official list below.

The list comes from the Food Standards Agency's official allergy alert and the Food Standards Scotland recall notice. The alerts do not identify additional flavors, smaller containers, or bottles as part of this specific recall. They also do not provide a complete retailer-by-retailer list, so it would be misleading to name a particular supermarket as the only seller.

How can you check the batch number on your carton?

Find the printed product name and 1-liter capacity first, then inspect the carton for the batch code and best-before marking. Compare both details with the table above. An expiry or best-before month by itself is not enough to confirm a match; the batch number is part of the official product identification.

If the print is damaged, smudged, or missing, keep the carton aside and ask the shop or AG Barr to confirm the details before consuming it. Do not assume the drink is excluded simply because a code is hard to read. The fact that some listed best-before dates fall in 2027 does not mean customers should wait until those months to act: the recall was issued in November 2026.

What should customers do with a recalled Rubicon carton?

1. Stop and check: Set the carton aside while you verify the flavor, size, code, and best-before date. People sensitive to sulfur dioxide or sulfites should not drink a matching carton.
2. Return it to the seller: The FSA directs affected customers to take the product back to the retailer for a full refund. Keep the container and any purchase record available, and follow the store's displayed recall instructions.
3. Ask if uncertain: Contact AG Barr at consumercare@agbarr.co.uk or use its official contact page if your code is unreadable or you need help with the process.
4. Watch for official changes: Check the regulator's notice again if you hear that the affected batches or return arrangements have changed.

The official alert promises a full refund through the place of purchase. It does not establish a universal no-receipt policy for every retailer in its published text. If you no longer have a receipt, ask the store how it is handling this particular recall. Retailers selling the affected drink are expected to display point-of-sale notices outlining the reason and return instructions.

Why are AG Barr and the regulators recalling the drink?

The problem identified is allergen labeling. The recalled cartons may contain sulfites, but the ingredient information does not disclose them. Sulfites and sulfur dioxide are among the allergens that must be declared under applicable UK rules when present above the specified threshold. The FSA says the potential presence of undeclared sulfites creates a possible health risk for people with a relevant sensitivity.

That is different from evidence that every carton is contaminated with bacteria or that all people who drink it will become ill. The published notices do not state an exact sulfite concentration for the affected batches, establish the underlying manufacturing cause, or report a confirmed number of illnesses. None of those details should be inferred from the fact of the recall.

For background on allergen disclosure requirements, see the Food Standards Agency's allergen guidance. UK official notices use the spellings “sulphites” and “sulphur dioxide”; the terms correspond to “sulfites” and “sulfur dioxide” in American English.

What if you already drank the recalled product?

If you drank some of the affected drink, whether you need medical help depends on your symptoms and medical history. The recall is particularly important for people who know they react to sulfur dioxide or sulfites. Do not consume more of a matching carton while deciding what to do.

Call 999 in the United Kingdom immediately if you or someone else has signs of a severe allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, a tight throat, collapse, or marked confusion. If the person has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector for anaphylaxis, follow their emergency plan and use it promptly; call 999 even if symptoms improve. These steps are consistent with the NHS guidance on anaphylaxis. For non-emergency health concerns, contact an appropriate clinician or NHS 111.

Is the Rubicon recall limited to one supermarket or part of a larger recall?

Neither the FSA notice nor the matching Scottish alert limits the action to a single supermarket chain. They describe a recall of specific 1-liter Rubicon Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit cartons, and say participating stores will display notices for shoppers. The named batch codes, rather than the chain where the item was purchased, are the clearest way to determine whether your carton is included.

As of the verification time above, the original November 4 notice is the authoritative list used for this article. A later extension to other products or codes would require an updated regulator or company notice; no such expansion is assumed here. Customers with products sold outside the United Kingdom should follow any alerts issued by their own local food-safety authority rather than treating this UK notice as a worldwide recall.

Where can you check official updates?

The most direct source is FSA allergy alert FSA-AA-51-2026, dated November 4, 2026. For Scottish consumers, the Food Standards Scotland announcement independently confirms the four batch/date combinations. AG Barr's consumer contact information is the official channel for questions that the published lists do not answer.

FAQ: AG Barr Rubicon drink recall

Which Rubicon batch codes have been recalled?

The affected 1-liter Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit cartons carry codes 6160, 6198, 6219, or 6257, paired respectively with best-before dates of June, July, August, and September 2027.

Can I return a recalled Rubicon drink for a refund?

Yes. The FSA advises customers to return the affected carton to the place of purchase for a full refund. Ask your retailer about its receipt requirements rather than assuming all stores apply the same process.

Are all Rubicon flavors being recalled?

No. The official November 4 alert identifies Rubicon Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit in 1-liter cartons with the four specified batch codes. It does not list the whole Rubicon range.