European’s Coca-Cola bottling unit announced on Monday a significant recall of various beverages, including Coke and Sprite, after discovering elevated levels of chlorate, which could pose health risks to consumers.
The affected products were distributed across several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Luxembourg, since November, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium.
While the company did not provide an exact quantity, they acknowledged that a substantial number of drinks are involved in the recall. The affected items bear production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE and include brands such as Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss, and Tropico.
Coca-Cola emphasized that they are working closely with relevant authorities in each impacted market to address the situation.
“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.”
Exposure to high levels of chlorate can cause health problems including thyroid problems, especially among children and infants.
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.
