Loyal customers of The Coca-Cola Company are being forced to find a replacement for one of its most popular brands as it abruptly disappears from store shelves across the U.S.
While water is essential, many consumers have turned to sparkling water as a healthier alternative to soda or juice, seeking flavor and hydration without added sugar or artificial ingredients. That shift has helped mineral water brands build a strong following and become a household staple.
Now, those committed fans are being put to the test by an unexpected disruption.
Coca-Cola (KO) has confirmed that Topo Chico Mineral Water is temporarily unavailable in the U.S. due to upgrades at its water source and production facilities in Monterrey, Mexico.
The interruption stems from infrastructure improvements and additional challenges identified in the source wells. These include geological and quality-related issues that have slowed production, according to a company statement reported by CNN.
“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” said Coca-Cola in the statement.
The company expects Topo Chico Mineral Water to return to U.S. store shelves later in 2026, with availability likely resuming around the third quarter.
The shortage affects only the brand’s core mineral water product. Other offerings, such as Topo Chico Sabores and canned cocktails, remain available.
Topo Chico has relied on a single, historic source of water since 1895, limiting production flexibility and making disruptions harder to offset.
Coca-Cola acquired Topo Chico in 2017 for $200 million as part of its strategy to expand into on-trend, better-for-you beverage categories, according to the company’s website.
At the time of the acquisition, the brand was distributed in Northern Mexico and across 35 U.S. states. The deal enabled broader national expansion and strengthened Coca-Cola’s presence in the premium sparkling water segment, which was experiencing double-digit growth.
Today, Coca-Cola operates as a leading “total beverage company,” manufacturing and selling more than 200 brands worldwide, its website indicates.
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For fiscal year 2025, the company reported net revenue of $47.9 billion, increasing 2% year over year, with North America up 4%, representing its second-largest regional market.
