Plant of Coca-Cola maker suspended for potential contamination in Brazil
BRASILIA, June 4 (Reuters) - A plant owned by Brazilian soft drink firm Solar, which produces for Coca-Cola (KO.N), opens new tab, had a fault in its cooling system detected, leading production and bottling to be suspended as a precautionary measure, Brazil's government said on Wednesday.
Production was halted after authorities established a liquid used in the cooling process had come in contact with products being manufactured, Brazil's agriculture ministry said, in reference to an on-site inspection of the plant in Ceara state.
The liquid in question contains food-grade alcohol that does not pose a high health risk and does not contain toxic substances, the ministry added in a statement.
All of the products that may have been compromised remain in the company's inventory, Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro told a press conference in Brasilia, adding that there was no risk that the affected products could have reached supermarkets.
According to the ministry, the production suspension will be maintained until Solar enforces the necessary corrections and proves the elimination of all risks in the production process, which may occur as early as today.
Samples from about 9 million liters of soft drinks await laboratory analysis, which should be concluded in five days, the ministry said.
Solar and Coca-Cola did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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