Latest news with #PhilippeJorens
Arab Times
31-01-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Coca-Cola in Kuwait Safe, No Contaminated Products Imported
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 31: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition has assured consumers that Coca-Cola products in Kuwait are safe for consumption, following reports of a product withdrawal in some European countries due to high chlorate levels. The authority clarified that the affected products have not entered the Kuwaiti market, as Coca-Cola beverages available in the country are manufactured locally. Officials emphasized that they closely monitor the situation to ensure consumer safety and will continue to follow up on any new developments. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. 'We are also in contact with authorities in a very small number of European markets – France, Germany and Great Britain – where a very limited quantity of stock was also shipped,' the company said. No produce was recalled in those countries. Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Union's rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as 'serious.' Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. It has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. 'We apologize to consumers and our commercial partners,' the company said. Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. 'It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it,' Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. 'You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect.' (AP)
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What you need to know about the UK Diet Coke recall
Coca-Cola is recalling cans of several of its products across the UK after it confirmed some of its drinks were found to contain higher-than-normal levels of chlorate. The recall began earlier in the week as drinks were pulled from shelves in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after testing revealed 'elevated levels' of the chemical. Long-term consumption of chlorate can have a significant impact on a person's health and only minimal trace amounts of it are allowed in products sold in the UK. On Tuesday, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said there had been a 'limited distribution to the UK' of Coca-Cola soft drinks containing higher levels of chlorate. Coca-Cola's bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said the majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK, were not affected. It said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. Here Yahoo News UK has compiled all you need to know about the recall All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said only a "small number" of their products have been recalled. They said: "The majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not impacted." The recall includes imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were only sent to cafes and restaurants during a limited time period. Imported cans of 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks which were sent only to supermarkets in the UK have also been recalled. Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water. In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high and could result in serious health effects, especially among infants and children. These included impaired functioning of the thyroid due to inhibition of iodine uptake. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Wednesday 29 January 2025 - Coca-Cola Europacific Partners recalls a small range of soft drinks as a precaution because of elevated levels of Chlorate #FoodAlert — Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) January 29, 2025 Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. "It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. "You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect." Coca-Cola Europacific Partners 'Independent analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low." Coca-Cola Europacific Partners apologised for the recall and urged anyone who had a contaminated can to contact them. They said: "For the reassurance of consumers, we encourage anyone with an affected can to please call our customer service team on 0800 227711 who will be able to help." What is chlorate? The chemical that has seen Coca-Cola and Fanta removed from shelves (WalesOnline)
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Coca-Cola safety recall: The other drinks being taken off the shelves
Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water. It can cause iodine deficiency in people and is regulated with legal maximum residue limits for a range of foods, including fresh produce, according to Food Standards Scotland. What drinks are affected in Europe? Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. Are drinks in the UK affected? An investigation has been launched in the UK after Coca-Cola recalled drinks in some countries in Europe. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said on Monday it has now opened an investigation into whether any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of the chemical are on sale in the UK. Anne Gravett of the FSA said on Monday: 'The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing 'higher levels' of a chemical called chlorate are on the UK market. 'If we identify any unsafe food, we'll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.' Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and it had 'alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them'. How did this problem come to light? Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Union's rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as 'serious.' Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. What can consumers do? Coca-Cola has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. 'We apologise to consumers and our commercial partners,' the company said. Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. 'It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. 'You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect.'
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Coca-Cola safety recall: what other drinks are being taken off the shelves?
Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water. It can cause iodine deficiency in people and is regulated with legal maximum residue limits for a range of foods, including fresh produce, according to Food Standards Scotland. What drinks are affected in Europe? Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. Are drinks in the UK affected? An investigation has been launched in the UK after Coca-Cola recalled drinks in some countries in Europe. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said on Monday it has now opened an investigation into whether any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of the chemical are on sale in the UK. Anne Gravett of the FSA said on Monday: 'The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing 'higher levels' of a chemical called chlorate are on the UK market. 'If we identify any unsafe food, we'll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.' Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and it had 'alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them'. How did this problem come to light? Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Union's rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as 'serious.' Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. What can consumers do? Coca-Cola has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. 'We apologise to consumers and our commercial partners,' the company said. Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. 'It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. 'You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect.'
Arab Times
28-01-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Coca-Cola recalls soft drinks in Europe over high chlorate levels
BRUSSELS, Jan 28, (AP): Coca-Cola has recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe after higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate were detected in bottles and cans at a production plant in Belgium. Batches of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid and Fuze Tea were among the products recalled in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. The recall concerns drinks with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. "We are also in contact with authorities in a very small number of European markets - France, Germany and Great Britain - where a very limited quantity of stock was also shipped,' the company said. No produce was recalled in those countries. Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal and Romania were notified by the European Union's rapid alert system to investigate whether shop shelves or vending machines had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks. It designated the risk as "serious.' Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Coca-Cola said that it tracked the problem back to one specific container used in its water treatment process at its factory in the city of Ghent while conducting routine safety checks. It has advised customers not to consume drinks from the batches concerned and to return them to the point of sale to obtain a refund. "We apologize to consumers and our commercial partners,' the company said. Experts say consumers would have to drink a lot of any product contaminated with chlorate to suffer vomiting or other serious illness. "It is almost non-existent or very unlikely that those large quantities are present in it," Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, told Belgian public broadcaster VTM. "You have to have consumed so many different bottles of it to possibly see an effect.'
