Major recall ordered of soft drinks made at Coca-Cola factory over potential health risks
Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other soft drinks are being recalled across Europe because of safety fears, after the discovery of high levels of a chemical by-product from chlorine disinfectants.
Some of the drinks, sealed in cans and glass bottles at a factory in , contain "excessively high chlorate content".
The affected products are: Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico. Not all the brands are widely sold in the UK.
Europacific Partners Belgium told the AFP news agency the contaminated drinks have been distributed in Belgium, , , , and since November.
Chlorate, which can cause iodine deficiency, is a by-product of chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing.
"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," Coca-Cola told AFP.
Commenting on the quantities involved, the firm added: "We do not have a precise figure, but it is clear that it is a considerable quantity".
The drinks maker said the issue was discovered during checks at a plant in Ghent.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not yet issued a recall in the UK but is "investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing 'higher levels' of a chemical called chlorate are on the UK market," said the FSA's Anne Gravett.
Read more from Sky News:David Coote: Sorry over 'cocaine video'
Meanwhile, Belgium's food safety regulator, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA), has issued a recall "due to excessively high chlorate content".
"The recall is limited to brands in cans and returnable glass bottles bearing a production code ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE," said a statement .
The production code can be found on the bottom of the can or on the neck/label of the glass bottle.
The AFP news agency said Coca-Cola's French branch suggests independent experts had "concluded that the probability of an associated risk" was "very low".
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Costco Products Recalled in Six States: Full List of Items Impacted
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Costco has recalled potentially contaminated products including Coca-Cola's Topo Chico Mineral Water and a selection of Fresh & Ready Foods' sandwiches, in six states. The Coca-Cola recall applies to Costco shoppers in Texas and Louisiana, while those in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington should be aware of the Fresh & Ready Foods recall. Newsweek has contacted Costco outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters The recalls target a wide geographic area and involve widely consumed items, raising safety concerns among Costco's large U.S. membership base. The sandwiches were recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis can result in fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The infection can also be fatal in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The Coca-Cola product was recalled due to possible contamination with pseudomonas, a bacteria found naturally in water sources, which can cause Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. It can affect your skin, blood, lungs, GI tract and other parts of your body, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. File photo: A Costco Wholesale signage and logo on a tractor-trailer truck outside the store's loading dock. File photo: A Costco Wholesale signage and logo on a tractor-trailer truck outside the store's loading dock. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP What To Know Costco notified members about the Topo Chico Mineral Water recall on June 2, and informed consumers about the Fresh & Ready Foods recall on May 13. The full list of affected products are: Topo Chico Mineral Water 16.9 oz./500 ml in glass bottles, which come in packs of 18, with lot code 13A2541 Fresh & Ready Foods Sandwiches: Turkey Bacon Club Sandwich, item number 1651757 Turkey and Cheese Sandwich on Multigrain, item number 1013849 Garlic Pesto Salad, item number 1913844 Ham and Cheese Sandwich on Multigrain, item number 1013852 Turkey and Cheese Croissant, item number 1651759 Egg Salad Sandwich, item number 1653781 The affected sandwiches were purchased between April 28 and May 11, 2025, and had expiration dates of May 11, 2025. The issue was discovered after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted routine monitoring during in a site inspection and found traces of Listeria monocytogenes on a piece of equipment. According to the Fresh & Ready Foods announcement, no illnesses had been reported in relation to the recall as of May 13. The affected Topo Chico Mineral Water products were purchased between May 20 and May 29, 2025. The lot codes can be found on the case and on the neck of the bottle. What People Are Saying Fresh & Ready Foods, said its in announcement of the recall that it "has taken immediate corrective actions including removing equipment to address this issue to ensure ongoing food safety and compliance with FDA guidance." Coca-Cola said in its announcement: "The health consequences of consuming mineral water with the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered to be very low in healthy individuals with potential minor health consequences if consumed by individuals with weakened immune systems. The safety and quality of the products we offer our consumers is our top priority." What Happens Next Consumers are advised to return the affected products to the place of purchase for a full refund, and not to consume them. If you have any questions about the Coca-Cola recall, you can call 1-800-GET-COKE or 1-800-438-2653. Those with questions about the Fresh & Ready Foods recall can contact the Recall Hotline at 1-855-424-8390 between Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or email RecallConcern@

Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Costco recall: Coca-Cola product potentially contaminated with bacteria. What to know
Coca-Cola is recalling a mineral water it distributed to Costco and elsewhere, the warehouse club recently announced. A limited quantity of Topo Chico Mineral Water is being voluntarily recalled by Coca-Cola over the possibility that it is contaminated by the bacteria pseudomonas, the beverage giant wrote in a letter to Costco members. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pseudomonas is a bacteria commonly found in soil and water. The most common type that can infect humans is pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract or other parts of the body after surgery. TSA refutes rumor, reveals truth: No, your Costco card isn't valid ID at the airport The health risks of drinking mineral water with pseudomonas aeruginosa are considered very low in healthy individuals, according to the letter. There is the potential for minor health consequences if consumed by individuals with weakened immune systems. The recalled mineral water was sold as an 18-pack of 16.9 oz. (500 ml) glass bottles with the lot code #13A2541. Lot codes can be found on the case and on the neck of the bottle. The products were sold between May 20 and 29, 2025, at select Costco warehouses in Texas and Louisiana. If you purchased one, return it to your local store for a full refund. For more information, contact Coca-Cola at 1-800-GET-COKE (1-800-438-2653). 100 injuries reported: 2 million appliances sold at Costco, other stores recalled You can't use a Costco membership card to get through TSA, but you can use one to get into any of the hundreds of Costco warehouses. Costco operates 609 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. That includes 13 in Ohio — four in the Cleveland-Akron area, one in Canton, two in Toledo, three in Greater Columbus, one in Dayton and two in Cincinnati. In Kentucky, Costco has five stores, including one in Florence, near Cincinnati. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Costco recall: Coca-Cola product may be contaminated. See which one
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Check Your Fridge, Costco Fans: a Popular Water Brand Got Recalled for Specific Reason
Costco shoppers beware! The warehouse chain has recently issued a recall on a popular Coca-Cola product, Topo Chico Mineral Water (one of Delish's top-ranked seltzers). The recall is due to possible contamination with Pseudomonas, a bacteria that naturally occurs in water sources and soil. While the chain noted that the health consequences of consuming the contaminated water by healthy individuals are low, those with weakened immune systems could experience "potential minor health consequences." Luckily, the recall doesn't seem to be widespread—shoppers at Costco's Texas and Louisiana warehouses are the only ones who need to check their fridges and pantries. The affected products include Topo Chico Mineral Water in 16.9-ounce bottles (or 500mL) in an 18-pack size with lot code #13A2541. The contaminated waters were sold between May 20, 2025, and May 29, 2025. Costco suggests that customers who purchased any of the affected products return them to their local Costco for a full refund. Anyone with questions can call Coca-Cola at 1-800-GET-COKE. Unfortunately, this isn't the only Coca-Cola product to be recalled this year. Just a couple of months ago, the soda itself was recalled for containing plastic—yikes. Of course, hydration is an important staple in everyday life, but in this case, let's not risk it and return those bottles ASAP. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper