COCA-COLA has recalled a number of drinks including Appletiser and Sprite over safety concerns.
It comes just days after drinks in parts of Europe were recalled when tests revealed elevated levels of the chemical chlorate.
Chlorate – a by-product that emerges from the breakdown of chlorine-based disinfectants used in water treatment – can lead to iodine deficiency issues.
Coca-Cola has now made the decision to recall a number of imported cans of 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks after working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The fizzy drinks giant also confirmed they would be removing a small amount of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero.
These were sent only to cafes and restaurants during a limited time period.
All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.
The majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not impacted.
While the risk of feeling unwell from consuming the products is low, the in encouraged anyone affected to get in touch with the customer service team.
The UK recall comes after Coca-Cola products were pulled from the shelves in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands on Monday.
The higher levels of chlorate were discovered during routine testing at the company’s production facility in Ghent, Belgium, according to a spokesperson.
The international manufacturer also confirmed five different product lines were sent to the UK by the end of last year, and those items have already been sold to consumers.
Chlorate is typically found in food products as a result of chlorine disinfectants, which are commonly used in water treatment and food processing.
But the chemical has been linked to health issues, especially in children.
Coca-Cola noted that just five product lines were shipped to Britain at the end of 2024 and have already been sold.
According to Coca-Cola’s bottling branch in Belgium, the affected products are Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Inside bizarre town in Mexico where locals guzzle more coke than water – and believe soft drink has HEALING properties” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6360510438112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced on Monday that it would launch at inquiry to determine if any affected Coca-Cola products have made their way onto UK shelves.
Anne Gravett from the FSA stated: “The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing ‘higher levels’ of a chemical called chlorate are on the UK market.”
She went on to assure that immediate action will be taken to protect consumers if any unsafe food items are discovered.
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high.
These posed serious health risks among infants and children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency.
Risks included impaired functioning of the thyroid due to inhibition of iodine uptake.
Other side affects of excessive chlorate ingestion on humans includes, diarrhoea, nausea and limiting the blood’s capacity to absorb oxygen.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said in a statement: “Following ongoing dialogue with the UK Food Standards Agency, we are recalling a small number of imported cans of 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks which were sent only to supermarkets in the UK.
“We are also removing a small amount of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were sent only to cafes and restaurants during a limited time period.
“All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.
“The majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not impacted.
“Whilst independent analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low, for the reassurance of consumers, we encourage anyone with an affected can to please call our customer service team on 0800 227711 who will be able to help.
“No other Coca-Cola products are affected by the issue.
“The quality and safety of our products is our top priority and we’re sorry that on this occasion, a small number of our products have not met our high standards, and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”
