Coca-Cola are now recalling products from UK supermarket shelves amid health concerns over higher levels of chemical chlorate found in their products.
The company’s Great Britain branch confirmed a ‘small number’ of their products had been pulled from supermarkets, restaurants and cafes this evening.
The drinks giant said ‘a small’ amount of Appletiser multipack cans had been recalled from retailers, while cans of Sprite Zero, Coca-Cola, as well as zero sugar and diet versions of the product, had been pulled from some restaurants and cafes.
It comes as the Food Standard Agency (FSA) confirmed there had been a ‘limited distribution’ of Coca-Cola soft drinks containing higher levels of chlorate in the UK after products had been recalled in parts of Europe earlier this week.
A Coca-Cola Britain spokesperson said: ‘Following ongoing dialogue with the UK Food Standards Agency, we are recalling a small number of imported cans of 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks which were sent only to supermarkets in the UK.
‘We are also removing a small amount of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were sent only to cafes and restaurants during a limited time period.
‘All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can. The majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not impacted.’
They said the ‘likelihood of any associated risk’ relating to these drinks is ‘very low’, whilst reassuring their customers that ‘no other’ UK Coca-Cola products had been affected by the issue.
Coca-Cola are now recalling products from UK supermarket shelves amid health concerns over higher levels of chemical chlorate found in their products (file image)
It comes after Food Standards Agency has launched an investigation into Coca Cola products after the drinks giant recalled products in Europe (file image)
The manufacturers encouraged any customers impacted by the issue to call their customer service team on 0800 227711.
They added: ‘The quality and safety of our products is our top priority and we’re sorry that on this occasion, a small number of our products have not met our high standards, and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.’
Tina Potter of the FSA said: ‘Following discussions with the relevant authorities and the business, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has undertaken a precautionary recall in the UK for a small range of their soft drinks containing higher levels of a chemical called chlorate.’
She added that although their risk assessment determined the risk in the products were ‘low’ when consumed occasionally, ‘adverse health effects [couldn’t] be ruled out for consumers with pre-existing medical conditions’.
She urged consumers to check the FSA’s food alert for further details regarding impacted products as well as possible health effects.
It comes as ‘elevated levels’ of chlorate were also found in several drinks including Fuze Tea, Fanta, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Tropico and more in Belgium, Luxembourg as well as the Netherlands.
All drinks – stored both in cans and bottles were recalled – including the light and zero versions of the products.
Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water.
The chemical is regulated with legal maximum residue limits for a range of foods, including fresh produce but can cause iodine deficiency, according to FSA Scotland.
On Tuesday, Tina Potter of the FSA said Coca-Cola Europacific Partners international product withdrawal related to a ‘small number of their soft drinks’ containing highers levels of chlorate.
She added that the FSA were working with the appropriate authorities to assess if there was a concern for UK consumers.
‘We can confirm that there has been limited distribution to the UK of the affected products,’ she said.
‘We are working with relevant authorities and the business directly to assess if there is a food safety concern for UK consumers.
‘If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.’
The drinks giant pulled several of its products including Fuze Tea, Fanta, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Tropico and more after testing revealed ‘elevated levels’ of chloratein Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherland (file image)
Belgium’s Coca-Cola bosses were previously unsure of the exact number of drinks affected and told AFP that it was ‘a considerable quantity’ but added that the ‘majority affected and unsold products’ had been removed.
But the company’s French branch said analysis by independent experts ‘concluded that the probability of an associated risk’ was ‘very low’.
In a previous statement, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said: ‘The recall is focused on Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where the majority of affected products have been withdrawn from sale.
‘Routine testing identified that certain products contained elevated levels of chlorate.
‘Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low.
‘This has affected a very small number of imported cans of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.
‘We have flagged this issue to the food safety authorities in Great Britain and we remain in communication with them.
The FSA previously confirmed ‘there has been limited distribution to the UK of the affected products’
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high and could result in serious health effects, especially among infants and children.
These included impaired functioning of the thyroid due to inhibition of iodine uptake.
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high and posed serious health risks among infants and children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency.
These included impaired functioning of the thyroid due to inhibition of iodine uptake.
Other side affects of excessive chlorate ingestion on humans includes, diarrhoea, nausea and limiting the blood’s capacity to absorb oxygen, the BBC reports.
Caron Grazette, an NHS and private nutritionist told the BBC: ‘We need to question whether or not we want to digest chemicals in soft drinks which are used in the production of fireworks and disinfectants, however small the quantity’.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners previously apologised for the recall in some European countries, which it said was brought to discovered thanks to a routine check at its production site in Ghent.