Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in some countries across Europe after detecting “higher levels” of the chemical chlorate.
Cans and glass bottles containing elevated levels of the substance were distributed in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands since November, the company said on Monday.
It added that five product lines had been shipped to Britain at the end of last year and had already been sold.
Affected products include the Coke, Fanta, Minute Maid, Sprite and Tropico brands, according to the Belgian branch of Coca-Cola’s international bottling and distribution operation.
Chlorate can be found in foods as it derives from chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing.
Exposure to high levels of the chemical compound can cause health issues including thyroid problems, especially among children and babies.
In a 2015 scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority said long-term exposure to chlorate posed a potential health concern for children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson told the BBC: “Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low.”
Affected batches of Coke and Fuze Tea were delivered in France but currently the recall order did not apply to the French market, it added.
The company said it had not received any consumer complaints in Britain and that it had “alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them”.
“We do not have a precise figure, but it is clear that it is a considerable quantity,” the firm said of the amount of drinks involved.
The higher levels of chlorate were discovered during routine testing at the company’s production facility in Ghent, north-west Belgium, the AFP news agency reported.
The majority of the affected and unsold products had been withdrawn from shelves, according to AFP, and the company was in the process of withdrawing the rest from the market.
Coca-Cola said it “considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority”.
Anne Gravett, from the UK’s Food Standards Agency, said it was investigating.
She told the BBC: “If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.”
Coca-Cola has announced a voluntary recall of some of its drinks in Europe due to “higher levels” of the chemical chlorate being detected. The recall affects certain batches of Coca-Cola products in several countries across Europe.
Chlorate is a chemical that can form in small amounts during the disinfection of water. While the levels of chlorate detected in the affected drinks are not believed to pose a significant health risk, Coca-Cola is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its consumers.
The affected batches have been identified and removed from shelves, and customers who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them. Coca-Cola has stated that it is working closely with regulatory authorities to investigate the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The safety and quality of Coca-Cola products are of utmost importance to the company, and it is committed to ensuring that its drinks meet the highest standards of excellence. Customers with any concerns or questions about the recall are encouraged to contact Coca-Cola’s customer service for more information.
Tags:
Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola recalls, Europe, higher levels, chemical chlorate, drink recall, Coca-Cola news, beverage safety, product recall, drink contamination, European regulations, consumer health, chlorate levels, Coca-Cola in Europe
#CocaCola #recalls #drinks #Europe #higher #levels #chemical #chlorate #CocaCola
PARACORDS 
BOTTLE BOOTS 
COLORED CAPS 
