Coca-Cola has announced the recall of a significant quantity of its popular beverages, including Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, and other products, across several European markets due to safety concerns.
The recall affects products sold in the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg after excessive levels of the chemical chlorate were detected during routine testing.
The recall impacts drinks with production codes between 328 GE and 338 GE, including Coca-Cola brands like Nalu, Royal Bliss, and Tropico.
The issue arose after testing at a production facility in Belgium revealed elevated levels of chlorate, a by-product of chlorine used in water disinfection.
While Coca-Cola insists the levels are low enough to pose a “very low” risk to consumers, high concentrations of chlorate could potentially lead to thyroid problems, kidney failure, or even fatal outcomes, according to health experts.
READ ALSO: FCCPC Issues Warning to Coca-Cola Nigeria, NBC Over Misleading Trade Practices
The European Food Safety Authority warned that excessive chlorate consumption could have serious health effects, particularly for infants and children.
Caron Grazette, a 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.”
In a statement, Coca-Cola confirmed that a “considerable quantity” of affected products had been distributed across the affected countries late last year. A spokesperson said:
“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 company is working closely with authorities in the impacted markets to address the issue and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Coca-Cola is advising consumers not to drink the affected beverages and instead return them to the point of sale for a full refund.
The discovery has reignited concerns about chemical additives in widely consumed soft drinks.
Chlorate, while not typically harmful in small amounts, becomes a health hazard when present at higher concentrations. The incident highlights the need for stricter safety monitoring in food and beverage production.
The European Food Safety Authority has noted that infants and children are particularly vulnerable to chlorate exposure, raising concerns for families who may have purchased the affected products.
Coca-Cola has apologized for the issue and assured customers of its commitment to product safety. Consumers who have purchased any of the affected drinks are urged to check the production codes and follow the company’s guidance for refunds.
This recall underscores the importance of vigilance in food safety and transparency in addressing potential health risks, particularly when products are widely distributed across international markets.