Coca-Cola Recalls Drinks in Europe Due to Safety Issues

Coca-Cola Recalls Drinks in Europe Due to Safety Issues

Coca-Cola has started to recall a number of beverage products in various parts of Europe because of “higher levels” of chlorate, a substance that is frequently used in disinfectants and water treatment. Products distributed in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg are the main targets of the recall.

Coca-Cola’s global bottling and distribution network in Belgium reports that Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid are among the affected brands. They have already been sold, even though only five product lines made it to the UK.

A corporate spokesperson informed the public that the risk to consumers’ health was minimal, according to an independent expert investigation. Coca-Cola has taken preemptive action, nevertheless, by informing authorities and cooperating with them to address the issue.

Consuming large amounts of chlorate, which is produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are used to treat water, may be harmful to one’s health. Thyroid issues have been connected to exposure to high chlorate levels, especially in young children and babies.

Caron Grazette, a nutrition specialist, voiced concerns on the chemical’s inclusion in soft drinks, saying:

“Even in small amounts, chlorate is a chemical found in fireworks and disinfectants. It raises questions about what we are consuming.”

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased blood oxygen absorption are signs of consuming too much chlorate.

Regular quality control checks at Coca-Cola’s production facility in Ghent, Belgium, revealed the problem. The AFP news agency quoted an unnamed corporate spokeswoman who acknowledged that the majority of unsold products had been removed from store shelves and that efforts were underway to recover any stock that remained.

Coca-Cola reminded consumers that their top priority continue to be product safety and quality.

Anne Gravett of the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) stated that an investigation is underway.

“If we determine that any products pose a safety risk, we will take immediate action to remove them and inform consumers,” Gravett emphasized.

Coca-Cola addressed the concerns by stating that only a small quantity of imported cans from brands like Sprite Zero, Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Diet Coke—with manufacturing codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE—were impacted. These codes are located on the cans’ bases.

Customers are urged to look for the designated production codes on their Coca-Cola drinks and avoid drinking them if they are discovered. The business has promised to work fully with the authorities to address the problem and stop it from happening again.

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Source: BBC News