Several Coca-Cola drinks in Luxembourg have been recalled due to excessive chlorate content, the European bottler of the group’s beverages said on Monday.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners announced a massive recall of several of its products in Belgium due to excessive chlorate content. The recall concerns cans and returnable glass bottles of several brands, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico, as well as their diet and zero variants.
The products concerned were produced at Coca-Cola’s Ghent site between 23 November and 3 December, and were distributed in several countries, including in Luxembourg. The number of products recalled was not specified. “We don’t have a precise figure, but it’s clear that we’re talking about a considerable quantity,” Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium told AFP.
The recalled products carry a production code ranging from 328GE to 338GE2. Consumers are invited to check the production codes on the base of the cans or on the neck/label of the glass bottles. Plastic bottles, drink dispensers and tetra-packs are not affected by this recall. Consumers can obtain a refund by returning the affected products to the point of sale.
The recalled products carry a production code ranging from 328GE to 338GE2 © Photo credit: Coca-Cola Belgium and Luxembourg
Chlorate is a chemical compound often used in industrial and agricultural applications, such as weedkillers and pyrotechnics.
In the case of Coca-Cola, chlorates are formed when chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water or equipment. “Low levels of chlorate are found in everyday foods and beverages, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and drinking water,” said Coca-Cola Belgium & Luxembourg.
A health risk
The presence of chlorates in drinks can pose health risks, particularly for people suffering from thyroid disorders or severe iodine deficiency. However, Coca-Cola Belgium & Luxembourg is cautious, explaining that “independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk to consumers is very low.”
A detailed list of the products concerned is available on the Coca-Cola website.
(This article was originally published by Virgule. Translation and editing by John Monaghan)