Coca-Cola has initiated a recall of its beverages in several European countries after discovering “higher levels” of the chemical chlorate in some of its products.
The company stated on Monday that cans and glass bottles containing elevated levels of chlorate were distributed across Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands since November. It also noted that five product lines were shipped to Britain at the end of 2024 and had already been sold.
The affected products include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Minute Maid, Sprite, and Tropico, according to Coca-Cola’s Belgian division. Chlorate, which is a byproduct of chlorine disinfectants used in water treatment and food processing, can sometimes be found in food. Prolonged exposure to high levels of chlorate can lead to health issues, including thyroid problems, particularly in children and infants.
A 2015 report from the European Food Safety Authority raised concerns about the long-term exposure to chlorate, especially for children with mild or moderate iodine deficiencies. However, a Coca-Cola spokesperson reassured the media that independent experts concluded the risk to consumers was very low.
Although some affected batches of Coke and Fuze Tea were shipped to France, the recall currently does not apply to the French market. Coca-Cola also clarified that it had not received any consumer complaints in Britain and had informed the relevant authorities, assuring they would continue to cooperate with them.
The higher chlorate levels were detected during routine testing at Coca-Cola’s Ghent facility in Belgium. Most of the affected products that had not been sold have already been removed from store shelves, with the company working to pull the remaining products from the market. Coca-Cola emphasized that the safety and quality of its products are their top priority.
The UK’s Food Standards Agency is investigating the issue, with Anne Gravett stating, “If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.”
