Coca-Cola Recalls Soft Drinks in Europe Due to High Chlorate Levels
Coca-Cola has launched a recall of several soft drink products across Europe due to safety concerns over elevated levels of chlorate, a chemical by-product of chlorine disinfectants used in water treatment and food processing. The recall affects popular brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid, Tropico, and others. It has been focused on Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, with some products also distributed to the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries since November.
The issue was discovered during routine testing at a Coca-Cola production facility in Ghent, Belgium, where "excessively high chlorate content" was found in certain drinks. While the company emphasized that the risk to consumers is "very low," the recall was initiated as a precautionary measure. "Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low," a spokesperson for Coca-Cola stated, speaking to the BBC. However, the company did not specify the exact quantity of affected products.
Chlorate, while typically harmless in small amounts, can lead to health concerns such as iodine deficiency, particularly for infants and children, when consumed in large quantities. Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid problems, which was a concern raised by Food Standards Scotland in 2015.
Coca-Cola has reported that the affected products, which include Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Sprite Zero, have already been pulled from store shelves in the affected regions. The recall is focused on products bearing specific production codes, ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the cans or the neck/label of the glass bottles. The company has worked with local food safety authorities to remove the remaining products from the market.
Despite the recall, Coca-Cola's bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, stressed that no consumer complaints have been received in the UK. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has launched an investigation to determine whether any of the affected products are on the market. "If we identify any unsafe food, we'll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers," said FSA spokesperson Anne Gravett.
While no immediate risks have been identified, the recall has raised concerns over the safety of products containing chlorate, a substance also used in the production of fireworks and disinfectants. The recall has sparked public debate about the chemicals used in food production and their potential long-term effects on health.
The FSA's investigation into the matter is ongoing, with the organization closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the European Food Safety Authority's warnings from 2015 about chlorate levels in food and water continue to be a point of concern. As Coca-Cola works to resolve the issue, consumers are advised to check product labels for the relevant production codes and stay informed about updates from health authorities.
