If you've noticed your favorite sparkling water missing from store shelves, you're not imagining it. Topo Chico Mineral Water is temporarily unavailable across the United States, and fans may be waiting until at least this summer to get it back.
Coca-Cola, which owns the carbonated mineral water brand, said the flagship product sold in glass bottles is "temporarily unavailable" in the United States because of "facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico."
The problems run deeper than a simple equipment upgrade. Production has slowed over the past two months because of problems with the wells in Monterrey, Mexico, that source the water, according to a letter sent by Coca-Cola to distributors. The company said it recently "identified additional challenges in the source wells, including quality issues related to the source's geology" resulting in a temporary stoppage of orders. "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," Coca-Cola said in the letter.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson told WFAA that "safety and quality are the company's top priorities" and that the brand aims to have Topo Chico Mineral Water back later this year. Distributors have been told to expect the product back on shelves in the second half of the year, likely in the third quarter of 2026.
For loyal fans in Texas - where Topo Chico has long held a near-cult following - the timing stings. The iconic glass-bottled sparkling water has been a staple at restaurants, bars, and gas stations across the state for decades, and its popularity only grew after Coca-Cola acquired the brand and dramatically expanded its U.S. distribution.
Coca-Cola bought Topo Chico in 2017 for $200 million. Premium water has become a key part of its business as consumers shift away from sugary sodas, with water sales jumping 4% in the company's most recent quarter, partly driven by growth in North America.
The shortage affects only the classic Topo Chico Mineral Water. Other products in the brand's lineup - including Topo Chico Sabores flavored sparkling water and its canned cocktails - remain available in the United States.
There is no word yet on whether the shortage will affect international markets or Topo Chico's availability in Mexico, where the brand originated more than a century ago.
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