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Euronews
28-01-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Coca-Cola drinks recalled in 3 European countries due to high chlorate levels
Coca-Cola's European bottling unit has ordered a major recall in three countries after finding a high level of a thyroid-disrupting chemical in some soft drinks. The recall applies to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, though limited quantities of the drinks were also sent to other countries, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which handles bottling and distribution in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. The affected products – reportedly including Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid brands – contain a higher level of chlorate, which originates from chlorine disinfectants widely used in food processing and water treatment. High levels of chlorate in food and drinking water can pose health risks by interfering with the thyroid's iodine intake, temporarily changing thyroid hormone levels. It's particularly risky for people with thyroid disorders, babies, and children, but one-time exposure 'has only a negligible effect,' according to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The European Union has rules on the maximum level of chlorate residue that is allowed in food. A Coca-Cola Europacific Partners spokesperson told Euronews Health that 'independent expert analysis has concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk for consumers is very low'. The affected drinks have production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE. These codes can be found on the bottom of the soda can or on the neck of the bottle. The spokesperson said the firm is in contact with authorities in other European countries where the drinks were shipped, but that no other recalls have been initiated. The company 'considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority,' the spokesperson said. Last year, Coca-Cola in Austria recalled millions of plastic bottles over concerns that they may have contained metal fragments.
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Coca-Cola recalls drinks in several European countries over chlorate concerns
Listen to article Coca-Cola has initiated a recall of certain drinks across several European countries due to safety concerns involving higher-than-acceptable levels of chlorate, a chemical byproduct. The recall affects products in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, with a small number of products also shipped to the UK, where they have already been sold. The affected drinks include popular Coca-Cola brands such as Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid. Chlorate can form when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and food processing. However, Coca-Cola has emphasized that independent expert analysis indicates the risk to consumers is very low. No consumer complaints have been reported in the UK, and the company is working closely with authorities to resolve the issue. The recalled products include specific cans of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero, with production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found at the base of the cans. Health experts, like Caron Grazette, a nutritionist, have raised concerns about the potential risks of ingesting chemicals such as chlorate, which is also used in fireworks and disinfectants. High levels of chlorate can lead to health issues such as thyroid problems, especially in children and infants, and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and impaired oxygen absorption. The issue was discovered during routine testing at Coca-Cola's production facility in Ghent, Belgium. While the majority of unsold affected products have been removed from shelves, the company is continuing to withdraw the remaining stock. Coca-Cola has reiterated that the safety and quality of its products remain a top priority. The UK's Food Standards Agency is also investigating the matter, with officials assuring the public that any unsafe products will be promptly removed from circulation.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola recalls drinks over safety concerns
Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in some countries across Europe because they contain "higher levels" of a chemical called chlorate. The firm said in a statement that the recall was focused on Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It added just five product lines had been shipped to Britain, and they had already been sold. Affected products include the Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid brands, according to the Belgium branch of Coca-Cola's international bottling and distribution operation. Chlorate can be produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and food processing. "Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low," a spokesperson told the BBC. Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and that it had "alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them." The company added the issue has affected "a very small number of imported cans" of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE" which Coca-Cola said can be found on the base of the can. Anne Gravett from the Food Standards Agency said it was investigating. "If we identify any unsafe food, we'll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers," she added. Exposure to high levels of chlorate can cause health problems including thyroid problems, especially among children and infants. NHS and private nutritionist Caron Grazette told the BBC: "We need to question whether or not we want to digest chemicals in soft drinks which are used in the production of fireworks and disinfectants, however small the quantity". Chlorate's effects on humans when taken in excess include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and limiting the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, added Ms Grazette, citing recent research into the chemical. The higher levels of chlorate were discovered during routine testing at the company's production facility in Ghent, Belgium, according to an unnamed company spokesperson quoted by the AFP news agency. The majority of unsold products had been withdrawn from shelves, according to AFP, and the company was in the process of withdrawing the rest. A Coca-Cola spokesperson said it "considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority".
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola recalls drinks over safety concerns
Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in some countries across Europe because they contain "higher levels" of a chemical called chlorate. The firm said in a statement that the recall was focused on Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It added just five product lines had been shipped to Britain, and they had already been sold. Affected products include the Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid brands, according to the Belgium branch of Coca-Cola's international bottling and distribution operation. Chlorate can be produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and food processing. "Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low," a spokesperson told the BBC. Coca-Cola said it had not received any consumer complaints in Great Britain, and that it had "alerted the authorities on this matter and will continue to collaborate with them." The company added the issue has affected "a very small number of imported cans" of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE" which Coca-Cola said can be found on the base of the can. Anne Gravett from the Food Standards Agency said it was investigating. "If we identify any unsafe food, we'll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers," she added. Exposure to high levels of chlorate can cause health problems including thyroid problems, especially among children and infants. NHS and private nutritionist Caron Grazette told the BBC: "We need to question whether or not we want to digest chemicals in soft drinks which are used in the production of fireworks and disinfectants, however small the quantity". Chlorate's effects on humans when taken in excess include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and limiting the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, added Ms Grazette, citing recent research into the chemical. The higher levels of chlorate were discovered during routine testing at the company's production facility in Ghent, Belgium, according to an unnamed company spokesperson quoted by the AFP news agency. The majority of unsold products had been withdrawn from shelves, according to AFP, and the company was in the process of withdrawing the rest. A Coca-Cola spokesperson said it "considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority".
The Guardian
27-01-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Coca-Cola recalls drinks in Europe over ‘higher levels' of chemical chlorate
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 Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg 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, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid 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. A Coca-Cola spokesperson 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.'
