Coca-Cola recalls drinks in Europe over high chlorate levels

Coca-Cola has initiated a major recall of several beverages in multiple European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, due to elevated levels of chlorate.

The recall, announced on Monday by Coca-Cola’s European bottling unit, follows the detection of high chlorate levels during routine quality control checks at its bottling facility in Ghent, Belgium. Affected products include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and other drinks with production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency has also launched an investigation to determine if any contaminated products have reached the UK market.

Chlorate, a chemical commonly used in water treatment and food processing, is linked to potential kidney and thyroid issues. Regulatory authorities in the affected countries have issued warnings, advising consumers not to consume the recalled products.

The European Food Safety Authority has expressed concerns about long-term exposure to chlorate, particularly for children with mild iodine deficiency.

Coca-Cola confirmed that a “considerable quantity” of affected drinks have been pulled from store shelves but did not specify the exact amount. Luxembourg’s Veterinary and Food Administration emphasized that children are at higher risk, while the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also urged consumers to avoid the recalled items.

Despite the concerns, an independent expert analysis has concluded that the risk to consumers is “very low,” according to a company spokesman. The recall has sparked widespread consumer concern, with many taking to social media to voice their frustrations.

The Ghent facility, which processes 66,000 glass bottles and 120,000 cans per hour, operates continuously to meet demand across Europe.