Coca-Cola has recalled its drinks in some international locations throughout Europe after detecting “greater ranges” of the chemical chlorate.
Cans and glass bottles containing elevated ranges of the substance have been distributed in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands since November, the corporate mentioned on Monday.
It added that 5 product traces had been shipped to Britain on the finish of final yr and had already been bought.
Affected merchandise embody the Coke, Fanta, Minute Maid, Sprite and Tropico manufacturers, in response to the Belgian department of Coca-Cola’s worldwide bottling and distribution operation.
Chlorate may be present in meals because it derives from chlorine disinfectants extensively utilized in water remedy and meals processing.
Publicity to excessive ranges of the chemical compound could cause well being points together with thyroid issues, particularly amongst youngsters and infants.
In a 2015 scientific opinion, the European Meals Security Authority mentioned long-term publicity to chlorate posed a possible well being concern for youngsters, particularly these with gentle or reasonable iodine deficiency.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson instructed the BBC: “Impartial skilled evaluation concludes that any related threat for customers could be very low.”
Affected batches of Coke and Fuze Tea have been delivered in France however at present the recall order didn’t apply to the French market, it added.
The corporate mentioned it had not acquired any shopper complaints in Britain and that it had “alerted the authorities on this matter and can proceed to collaborate with them”.
“We would not have a exact determine, however it’s clear that it’s a appreciable amount,” the agency mentioned of the quantity of drinks concerned.
The upper ranges of chlorate have been found throughout routine testing on the firm’s manufacturing facility in Ghent, north-west Belgium, the AFP information company reported.
Nearly all of the affected and unsold merchandise had been withdrawn from cabinets, in response to AFP, and the corporate was within the means of withdrawing the remaining from the market.
Coca-Cola mentioned it “considers the standard and security of its merchandise as its prime precedence”.
Anne Gravett, from the UK’s Meals Requirements Company, mentioned it was investigating.
She instructed the BBC: “If we establish any unsafe meals, we’ll take motion to make sure it’s eliminated and alert customers.”