Understanding the High Noon and Celsius Mix-Up: What Happened?

November 27, 2025 •

3 min read

In July 2025, a significant product recall was initiated after some High Noon vodka seltzers were mislabeled as non-alcoholic Celsius energy drinks. This incident stemmed from a critical error at a shared packaging supplier, creating widespread consumer confusion and safety concerns. The event highlights the potential for serious consequences when manufacturing and quality control protocols fail.

Quick Summary

In July 2025, a labeling error at a shared packaging supplier caused some High Noon vodka seltzers to be mistakenly packaged in Celsius energy drink cans. High Noon issued a recall for specific Beach Variety packs to address the unintentional alcohol ingestion risk. The two brands operate independently but used the same third-party can manufacturer. No injuries or illnesses were reported.

Key Points

Cause of Mix-Up: A shared packaging supplier mistakenly sent empty Celsius energy drink cans to a High Noon vodka seltzer production facility in July 2025.
Affected Products: The recall impacted specific production lots of High Noon's Beach Variety 12-packs, which contained cans mislabeled as Celsius Astro Vibe energy drinks but filled with alcohol.
Separate Companies: Despite the incident, Celsius and High Noon are entirely separate companies and do not have a partnership.
No Reported Injuries: No illnesses or adverse health effects were reported in connection with the mislabeled beverages.
Consumer Action: Consumers were advised not to drink the liquid from the affected cans and were offered refunds by High Noon.
Affected States: The recalled products were shipped to distributors and retailers in eight states, including Florida, New York, and Wisconsin.

A Labeling Error Causes Confusion and a Major Recall

In a highly unusual and serious incident in July 2025, consumers and news outlets were buzzing about a major mix-up involving two popular beverages: Celsius energy drinks and High Noon vodka seltzers. A product recall was initiated after it was discovered that specific 12-packs of High Noon's Beach Variety included cans that were incorrectly labeled as Celsius Astro Vibe energy drinks, but were actually filled with alcohol. The situation, while leading to some humorous social media commentary, underscored significant product safety risks, particularly for individuals avoiding alcohol or those with certain health conditions.

The Source of the Manufacturing Error

Contrary to speculation about a merger or collaboration, Celsius and High Noon are entirely separate and unrelated companies. The root cause of the problem was traced back to a single, third-party packaging supplier that both brands used. According to official statements from both companies, the supplier mistakenly shipped a batch of empty Celsius-labeled cans to a High Noon production facility. The High Noon team, operating without knowledge of the error, proceeded to fill the mislabeled cans with their alcoholic vodka seltzer and package them for distribution. This critical lapse in quality control affected a specific production run and resulted in the recall.

The Impacted Products and Distribution

The recall specifically targeted two production lots of the High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs that were shipped to distributors between July 21 and July 23, 2025. Consumers were advised to check both the UPC on the outer box and the lot codes printed on the individual cans. The mislabeled Celsius cans within these packs were distinct from standard Celsius products, featuring a silver lid rather than the typical black lid.

Affected States for the High Noon Beach Variety 12-Packs:

Florida
Michigan
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Virginia
Wisconsin

The Aftermath and Consumer Response

Upon discovering the error, High Noon voluntarily initiated a recall and immediately began working with the FDA, distributors, and retailers to remove the affected products from shelves. Both Celsius and High Noon released statements prioritizing consumer safety and providing instructions for refunds. Thankfully, no illnesses or adverse health events were reported in connection with the mix-up. The incident did, however, provoke a strong reaction online. While some saw the mix-up as a comical, "golden ticket" moment for a surprise alcoholic beverage, others raised valid concerns about the risks for recovering alcoholics or individuals with conditions sensitive to alcohol. The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of clear and accurate product labeling.

Comparison: Celsius Energy Drink vs. High Noon Vodka Seltzer

To avoid future confusion, it's helpful to compare the two distinct product types involved in the recall. The core differences lie in their ingredients, purpose, and ownership.


Feature	Celsius Energy Drink	High Noon Vodka Seltzer
Company	Celsius Holdings, Inc.	E. & J. Gallo Winery
Product Type	Non-alcoholic energy drink	Alcoholic vodka seltzer
Key Ingredients	Natural caffeine, green tea extract, vitamins, ginger root	Vodka and real fruit juice
Alcohol Content	0% ABV	4.5% ABV
Target Audience	Fitness and wellness-minded individuals	Social and recreational drinkers
Lid Color (standard)	Black (for the specific Astro Vibe can)	Not a defining feature (varies)

The Resolution and Path Forward

For consumers who purchased one of the affected packs, High Noon's official recall notice instructed them not to consume the liquid in the mislabeled Celsius cans. A customer relations email was provided to facilitate refunds and address inquiries. The situation ultimately resolved through the transparent actions of the companies and the regulatory oversight of the FDA. The event stands as a cautionary tale about the complexities of modern manufacturing and the critical importance of supply chain vigilance. It serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly small errors in the production process can have significant, high-profile consequences.

Conclusion

The major product recall involving Celsius and High Noon was not the result of a partnership or a collaboration, but a manufacturing blunder at a shared supplier. Empty, pre-labeled Celsius cans were mistakenly sent to a High Noon facility, leading to vodka seltzer being packaged under the wrong brand name. While the companies acted swiftly to mitigate the damage and no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted a crucial point about consumer safety and the risks of mislabeled products. It was a bizarre, yet ultimately well-handled, incident that reinforced the need for robust quality control throughout the entire beverage production process. You can find the full FDA announcement regarding the recall on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Celsius and High Noon are completely separate and independent companies. Celsius is owned by Celsius Holdings, while High Noon is owned by E. & J. Gallo Winery.

There was not a recall of Celsius energy drinks themselves. The recall was issued by High Noon for their Beach Variety packs, which contained mislabeled Celsius cans filled with alcohol.

A shared can supplier mistakenly shipped empty Celsius-branded cans to a High Noon production facility. The High Noon team, unaware of the labeling error, filled them with their vodka seltzer.

The official recall notice advised consumers not to drink the liquid and to dispose of the can. Consumers can contact High Noon Consumer Relations for information on refunds.

The most significant difference is the contents: alcohol instead of a non-alcoholic energy drink. A visual cue on the specific mislabeled Celsius Astro Vibe cans was a silver lid, whereas standard Celsius cans had black lids.

No, according to the official FDA recall announcement and company statements, there were no reported illnesses or adverse health events.

Consumers should check the lot codes on their High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs and the individual Celsius Astro Vibe cans. The specific affected lot codes were detailed in the FDA recall notice.