Coca-Cola has initiated a recall of its drinks in select European countries due to the discovery of higher levels of chlorate, a chemical compound, in routine testing. The issue emerged at Coca-Cola's production facility in Ghent, Belgium, prompting the company to take swift action. The recall is primarily focused on Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The company is committed to maintaining product quality and safety as its top priority.
"Considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority" – A Coca-Cola spokesperson
The presence of chlorate, which can arise from chlorine-based disinfectants used in water treatment and food processing, raised concerns. In excess, chlorate can cause adverse health effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and impairing the blood’s oxygen absorption capacity. Nevertheless, independent experts have assessed the situation and concluded that any associated risk for consumers remains very low.
"Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low" – A spokesperson
Coca-Cola has already withdrawn the majority of unsold products from store shelves and is in the process of removing the remaining items. Five affected product lines were shipped to Britain towards the end of last year and have since been sold. Despite this, the company has not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and it did not specify which products were affected in the UK.
The company alerted authorities about the issue and will continue collaborating closely with them to ensure consumer safety. Nutritionist Caron Grazette expressed concerns, highlighting the potential health implications of consuming chemicals found in soft drinks.
"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" – NHS and private nutritionist Caron Grazette
"Chlorate's effects on humans when taken in excess include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and limiting the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, added Ms Grazette, citing recent research into the chemical" – NHS and private nutritionist Caron Grazette