Our beloved and longest-existing cooldrink brand started catching strays recently after it was discovered that some of its products have the potential to cause us harm. The beverage giant has pulled certain batches from shelves, sparking questions about food safety and quality control.
While recalls are not uncommon in the industry, they always serve as a reminder to stay informed about what we’re consuming. If you’re wondering which products are affected and what this means for consumers, here’s what you need to know.
According to BBC News, Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands due to higher levels of chlorate. It is stated that the recall affects the Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid brands.
It is also mentioned that Coca-Cola released a statement apologising for the product issues that did not meet their high standards, stating that quality and safety are their top priority. “Routine testing identified that certain products contained elevated levels of chlorate. Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low.”
The above-mentioned source explains that chlorate is produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and food processing and that high levels of chlorate can cause health problems, including thyroid problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and limiting blood oxygen absorption.
The Chemical Engineer publication mentions that “The affected products were tall cans of regular Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero stocked in cafes and restaurants, as well as supermarket six-packs of Appletiser.”
Also see: How to use Coca-Cola as a meat marinade
