Topo Chico's glass-bottled water vanishes from US stores amid quality concerns

Topo Chico mineral water in glass bottles has temporarily disappeared from US shelves. The shortage follows production slowdowns at the brand's Mexican facility. Coca-Cola, which owns the brand, has cited quality concerns linked to geological issues at the water source.

Coca-Cola acquired Topo Chico in 2017 for $200 million. Since then, the sparkling mineral water has remained a popular choice, particularly in North America. Recent financial reports showed a 4% rise in the company's water sales, with Topo Chico contributing to that growth.

Over the past two months, production has dropped due to problems with wells in Monterrey, Mexico. Tests revealed quality inconsistencies tied to the area's geology. As a result, Coca-Cola paused orders while assessing the situation.

The company is now upgrading its Mexican facility to stabilize the water source and boost output. These improvements aim to resolve the current issues and prevent future disruptions. Only the mineral water in glass bottles is affected, with other Topo Chico products still on sale.

Shoppers can expect the glass-bottled version to return in the third quarter of this year. Coca-Cola has not released details on whether the shortage has altered demand for competing mineral waters in the US.

The temporary halt in production highlights the challenges of maintaining water quality from natural sources. Coca-Cola's investment in facility upgrades suggests a long-term commitment to the brand. Consumers will need to wait until later this year for the product's return to US markets.