Coca-Cola points pressing recall together with Fanta and Sprite on account of ‘increased ranges’ of chemical
The giant drinks company have discovered “higher levels” of a chemical known as chlorate in a number of batches shipped to Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemberg and the Netherlands
Popular drinks company, Coca-Cola, has issued an urgent recall of a ‘considerable quantity’ of some of its best known products across Europe over safety fears.
Big names including Coke, Fanta and Sprite are being recalled due to “higher levels” of a chemical known as chlorate.
Affected cans and glass bottles with ‘elevated levels’ of chlorate have been shipped to Britain as well as Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands since November, Coca-Cola announced.
The company noted that the problem involves “a very small number of imported cans” of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero, specifically those with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE.
The codes are located on the bottom of cans or on the neck/label of bottles.
The recall also affects beverages including Minute Maid, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Nalu, Royal Bliss, and Tropico.
Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain and that it had “alerted the authorities in this matter and will continue to collaborate with them”.
Chlorate is a by-product of chlorine degradation and can be produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and food processing.
High exposure to this compound can lead to health issued such as thyroid problems, particularly in children and infants.
Short-term effects might include nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and skin irritation.
When asked about the volume of products affected, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said: “We do not have a precise figure, but it is clear that it is a considerable quantity.”
The company has addressed the issue, with most of the problematic and unsold products already removed from the shelves, stating: “The majority of the affected and unsold products have already been removed from store shelves and we continue to take measures to remove all remaining products from the market.”
The problem was uncovered during inspections at a facility in Ghent, north-west Belgium.
Coca-Cola are warning customers not to drink from the questionable batches and to take them back to the store for a refund.
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