Say It Isn't So: Dr Pepper Is Experiencing a Shortage

I’m not sure that anyone needs to be reminded, but who or whatever is in charge of the simulation controlling humanity right now is overdue for a performance review. I won’t catalogue everything that’s gone wrong in 2020 so far, because if you don’t know what’s been happening by now, I honestly envy your blissful ignorance.

As if things weren’t already terrible enough, it now seems like there’s a Dr Pepper shortage to contend with. If you’ve been looking for that 23-flavored soda and haven’t been able to find it on store shelves, you’re not imagining things: the company confirmed it themselves in a recent tweet.

“We’re doing everything we can to get [Dr Pepper] back into your hands,” it reads. “That means working with our distribution partners to keep shelves stocked nationwide, while ensuring the safety of our employees.” They say that the shortage applies to all flavors of Dr Pepper, including the recently released Dr Pepper & Cream Soda.

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In Dr Pepper’s defense, these sorts of supply chain challenges are hardly unique to them. The past five months have inspired shortages of everything from baking yeast to meat and seemingly everything in between. That’s led certain big snack brands to take steps to narrow their offerings in an effort to focus on producing as much of their popular products as possible.

Still, the fact that they have to admit that there’s a meaningful shortage that needs to be addressed probably isn’t a great sign for those who can’t get enough of the stuff. It’s important to remember, though, that the key phrase in the tweeted statement is “ensuring the safety of our employees.” Nobody should have to get seriously ill or die for you to get your hands on some soda.

Hopefully someday we can all live in a world where, to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas, the Dr Pepper flows like wine. Until then, ration your Dr Pepper carefully and bide your time.