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
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Looser gun laws tied to thousands more US child shooting deaths
US states that loosened their gun laws following a landmark court ruling saw thousands more childhood firearm deaths than they otherwise would have -- the vast majority homicides and suicides -- according to a study published Monday. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and lead author of the paper in JAMA Pediatrics, told AFP he was drawn to the topic as a father wondering whether today's world is safer for children than when he was growing up. "Mortality from car accidents has fallen dramatically, but at the same time, firearm mortality rose and replaced car accidents as the leading cause of death in children over the age of one," he said -- a trend unique among peer nations. To probe this shift, Faust and his colleagues analyzed state-level data before and after McDonald v Chicago, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that extended the Second Amendment to state and local governments. The ruling sparked a wave of legislation, some tightening gun laws but much of it loosening them. The team grouped states into three categories -- most permissive, permissive, and strict -- and used Centers for Disease Control data on firearm deaths among children aged 0–17. They ran an "excess mortality analysis," comparing actual deaths from 2011 to 2023 against projections based on prior trends from 1999 to 2010 and population growth. The results were stark: more than 7,400 excess pediatric firearm deaths in states that loosened gun laws -- including over 6,000 in the most permissive group of states. By contrast, the eight strictest states overall saw no excess deaths. The model predicted 4,267 fatalities, while 4,212 were recorded -- a near-match that bolstered confidence in the analysis. "The biggest thing people always want to know is, what's the intent behind these?" said Faust. "And I think what surprises most people is that accidents are a very small number of these deaths -- it's mostly homicide and suicide." While the study showed strong associations, it cannot prove causation -- a key limitation. But in a test of whether broader increases in violence might explain the trend, rather than changes to the law, the team analyzed non-firearm homicides and suicides and found no similar rise, a result that makes the findings "pretty compelling," said Faust. Black children saw the steepest increases. While the reasons are unclear, the authors speculated that disparities in safe firearm storage could play a role. There were some exceptions. Deaths rose in Illinois and Connecticut despite tighter laws -- though in the latter case, the spike was entirely attributable to the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting at an elementary school. "Big picture, we have a major problem in this country," said Faust. "But we also have a handful of states that are resisting these increases and, in fact, turning the other direction." ia/aha
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Health-E Commerce® expands telehealth offerings with LifeMD™ to provide sleep treatments via FSA Store® and HSA Store®
New collaboration delivers 50% off prescription sleep support for new customers who are struggling with insomnia and sleep disruption DALLAS, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health-E Commerce, the parent brand of FSA Store and HSA Store, the first and leading online stores dedicated to selling only FSA- and HSA-eligible products and services, announced today that it has expanded its telehealth collaboration with LifeMD™, a leader in virtual care. This latest initiative gives FSA and HSA users affordable, convenient access to FDA-approved prescription sleep treatments at a time when better sleep care is urgently needed. According to the CDC, insufficient sleep is linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression, which means expanded access to treatment is not just beneficial, it's essential. The arrangement allows new customers who shop at FSA Store or HSA Store to receive 50% off prescription sleep medications from LifeMD, with no in-person appointments required. Following a free virtual consultation, approved patients can have non-addictive, physician-prescribed treatments discreetly delivered to their door, making it easier than ever to address sleep concerns with clinically backed solutions. "The connection between sleep and our overall physical and mental health is undeniable, and poor sleep can even impact our productivity at work and our overall quality of life," said Keri Kaiser, chief revenue officer for Health-E Commerce. "The expansion of our telehealth collaboration with LifeMD gives consumers more options for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders and improving sleep health, while saving money by using tax-free FSA- and HSA-eligible services. We're proud to simplify access to care for millions of Americans and to maximize their healthcare dollars." Many individuals who experience poor sleep rely on over-the-counter remedies that may not be effective for persistent insomnia or sleep disruptions. Fortunately, LifeMD's prescription sleep solutions are designed to address the root causes of poor sleep with medications that target sleep onset, duration, and quality, including Ramelteon, Doxepin, and Trazodone. Eligibility for prescription treatments is determined by a licensed LifeMD physician and backed by LifeMD's 4.9-star patient satisfaction rating. "We're proud to expand our telehealth collaboration with Health-E Commerce to give individuals and families who are enrolled in FSAs and HSAs access to clinical support to improve sleep health and their overall quality of life," said Nicholas Alvarez, co-founder and chief acquisition & growth officer at LifeMD. "Everyone deserves access to quality medical care that is convenient and affordable, and by collaborating with FSA Store and HSA Store, we are able to effectively extend the reach of our services to individuals and families across the country." LifeMD's sleep solutions are now available at and alongside other telehealth services for home sleep apnea testing, CPAP devices and supplies, CPAP alternatives, and more. This launch reinforces Health-E Commerce's mission to make tax-free healthcare dollars work harder for the more than 70 million Americans enrolled in pre-tax health accounts. To learn more or access eligible sleep health services and products, visit or About Health-E CommerceHealth-E Commerce is the parent brand to FSA Store and HSA Store, online stores that serve the 70+ million consumers enrolled in pre-tax health and wellness accounts. The company also created Caring Mill®, a popular private-label line of health products through which a portion of every purchase is donated to the Children's Health Fund. Since 2010, the Health-E Commerce brands have led the direct-to-consumer e-commerce market for exclusively pre-tax health and wellness benefits. Health-E Commerce plays an essential role in expanding eligibility for important new product and telehealth categories within the list of eligible medical expenses. About LifeMDLifeMD offers telemedicine, access to laboratory and pharmacy services, and specialized treatment across more than 200 conditions, including primary care, men's and women's health, weight management, and hormone therapy. The Company leverages a vertically-integrated, proprietary digital care platform, a 50-state affiliated medical group, and a U.S.-based patient care center to increase access to high-quality and affordable care. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Health-E Commerce Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Health-E Commerce® expands telehealth offerings with LifeMD™ to provide sleep treatments via FSA Store® and HSA Store®
New collaboration delivers 50% off prescription sleep support for new customers who are struggling with insomnia and sleep disruption DALLAS, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health-E Commerce, the parent brand of FSA Store and HSA Store, the first and leading online stores dedicated to selling only FSA- and HSA-eligible products and services, announced today that it has expanded its telehealth collaboration with LifeMD™, a leader in virtual care. This latest initiative gives FSA and HSA users affordable, convenient access to FDA-approved prescription sleep treatments at a time when better sleep care is urgently needed. According to the CDC, insufficient sleep is linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression, which means expanded access to treatment is not just beneficial, it's essential. The arrangement allows new customers who shop at FSA Store or HSA Store to receive 50% off prescription sleep medications from LifeMD, with no in-person appointments required. Following a free virtual consultation, approved patients can have non-addictive, physician-prescribed treatments discreetly delivered to their door, making it easier than ever to address sleep concerns with clinically backed solutions. "The connection between sleep and our overall physical and mental health is undeniable, and poor sleep can even impact our productivity at work and our overall quality of life," said Keri Kaiser, chief revenue officer for Health-E Commerce. "The expansion of our telehealth collaboration with LifeMD gives consumers more options for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders and improving sleep health, while saving money by using tax-free FSA- and HSA-eligible services. We're proud to simplify access to care for millions of Americans and to maximize their healthcare dollars." Many individuals who experience poor sleep rely on over-the-counter remedies that may not be effective for persistent insomnia or sleep disruptions. Fortunately, LifeMD's prescription sleep solutions are designed to address the root causes of poor sleep with medications that target sleep onset, duration, and quality, including Ramelteon, Doxepin, and Trazodone. Eligibility for prescription treatments is determined by a licensed LifeMD physician and backed by LifeMD's 4.9-star patient satisfaction rating. "We're proud to expand our telehealth collaboration with Health-E Commerce to give individuals and families who are enrolled in FSAs and HSAs access to clinical support to improve sleep health and their overall quality of life," said Nicholas Alvarez, co-founder and chief acquisition & growth officer at LifeMD. "Everyone deserves access to quality medical care that is convenient and affordable, and by collaborating with FSA Store and HSA Store, we are able to effectively extend the reach of our services to individuals and families across the country." LifeMD's sleep solutions are now available at and alongside other telehealth services for home sleep apnea testing, CPAP devices and supplies, CPAP alternatives, and more. This launch reinforces Health-E Commerce's mission to make tax-free healthcare dollars work harder for the more than 70 million Americans enrolled in pre-tax health accounts. To learn more or access eligible sleep health services and products, visit or About Health-E CommerceHealth-E Commerce is the parent brand to FSA Store and HSA Store, online stores that serve the 70+ million consumers enrolled in pre-tax health and wellness accounts. The company also created Caring Mill®, a popular private-label line of health products through which a portion of every purchase is donated to the Children's Health Fund. Since 2010, the Health-E Commerce brands have led the direct-to-consumer e-commerce market for exclusively pre-tax health and wellness benefits. Health-E Commerce plays an essential role in expanding eligibility for important new product and telehealth categories within the list of eligible medical expenses. About LifeMDLifeMD offers telemedicine, access to laboratory and pharmacy services, and specialized treatment across more than 200 conditions, including primary care, men's and women's health, weight management, and hormone therapy. The Company leverages a vertically-integrated, proprietary digital care platform, a 50-state affiliated medical group, and a U.S.-based patient care center to increase access to high-quality and affordable care. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Health-E Commerce Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data