Key Takeaways:

• Coca-Cola has voluntarily recalled drinks in multiple European countries due to high levels of chlorate.
• The recall affects products distributed in Belgium, Netherlands, Britain, Germany, France, and Luxembourg since November.
• Health experts warn that chlorate exposure can pose risks, especially to children and infants.
• Coca-Cola emphasizes that the risk to consumers is considered very low following independent analysis.
• The company is actively collaborating with authorities to resolve the situation.

The European branch of Coca-Cola, specifically Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium, has announced a major recall affecting its popular products, including Coke, Sprite, and Fanta, due to the detection of elevated levels of chlorate. The recall pertains primarily to cans and glass bottles distributed throughout Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, and France since late November. Although the exact amount of beverages involved has not been disclosed, the company noted that it is a “considerable quantity.”

Health concerns arise from chlorate, which is often a by-product of chlorine-based disinfectants, commonly used in the treatment of water. A report by the European Food Safety Authority from 2015 highlighted that long-term exposure to chlorate could pose health risks—particularly for children with varying degrees of iodine deficiencies. Furthermore, acute exposure to high concentrations may cause thyroid issues, nausea, and in severe cases, impaired oxygen absorption in the bloodstream.

In spite of these health concerns, Coca-Cola reported that independent analyses deemed the probability of serious health risks to consumers as “very low.” The company has not received any consumer complaints regarding the products in question, according to BBC reports.

The recall, initiated after routine testing revealed the issue, has already led to the withdrawal of many affected products from store shelves, and Coca-Cola is working diligently to remove all remaining products from the market . The implicated products are identified by production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE, which include beverages like Fuze Tea and Minute Maid.

Coca-Cola has expressed its commitment to consumer safety and actively maintains communication with the relevant authorities in each impacted region, reaffirming that product quality and safety remain their top priority as they resolve this incident.

Read more about this story in detail at The Independent.