PepsiCo has recalled “a very small number” of its Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drink multi-packs because they contain contaminated water rather than the orange juice blend.

In a note issued yesterday by the Food Standards Agency, PepsiCo advised the public that it was recalling Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drink (in 4x200ml multipacks) as it contained water affected by microbiological contamination. A PepsiCo spokeswoman confirmed the products had been distributed to 40 stores and affected 277 four-packs in total.

She said: “An error at our contract-packing facility meant a small number of trial cartons  filled with water rather than our normal water and juice blend, were despatched in error. The product does not meet the standard we expect and so we are recalling these 277 affected Tropicana Kids Orange 4-packs.”

Consumers have been advised not to drink the product, which does not feature batch and date codes.

Customer notices have been displayed in affected stores, explaining why the product has been recalled and consumers can return the affected product to Tropicana consumer care to receive a full refund.