FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION STATEMENT ON DIET PEPSI TAMPERING

NEWS 06/13/1993 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION STATEMENT ON DIET PEPSI TAMPERING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Betsy Adams (301) 443-3285

             FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION STATEMENT
                     ON DIET PEPSI TAMPERING

     The Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers in
Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii and Guam to inspect closely cans
of Diet Pepsi for signs of tampering and to pour the contents into
a glass or cup before drinking.
     This warning is being issued in the wake of two reports in the
Seattle-Tacoma area of Washington state that consumers found
syringes in cans of Diet Pepsi.  No injuries have been reported in
these two cases.
     "Everyone should empty the contents of the can into a glass or
cup before drinking.  This precaution will ensure that if there are
any foreign objects found in the can, consumers will not drink the
soda," said FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, M.D. 
     FDA's initial laboratory analysis shows no signs of
contamination in the two reported cases.
     FDA officials are asking that any person with any questions
about a product call the Seattle FDA office at 206-486-8788.
     Alpac Corporation, the regional Pepsi bottler, is cooperating
with the FDA in its investigation of these cases.  The company has
said consumers with questions can contact Pepsi's consumer hotline
at 1-800-433-COLA.
     Alpac Corporation distributes its products in Alaska, Guam,
Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
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