International recall hits Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is forced to recall a wide range of soft drinks due to elevated chlorate levels. The recall involves beverages in cans and large glass bottles across almost all brands, in at least three countries.

Batches 328GE to 338GE

The international recall concerns millions of soft drinks in cans and glass bottles with production codes ranging from 328GE to 338GE. The production code can be found on the bottom of the can or on the neck/label of the glass bottle. Consumers are urged to return these products to the point of purchase, where they will receive a full refund.

This decision follows consultations with the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, which detected excessive chlorate levels in the products. The affected beverages were bottled in Ghent, Belgium during an eleven day period, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reports.

These batches were sold in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, but possibly also in other countries such as France. Coca-Cola does stress that the risk to consumers is “very low.” Chlorate is a byproduct of chlorine, commonly used as a disinfectant for drinking water. Low concentrations of chlorate are therefore often found in food and beverages.

Notably, almost all brands of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium are involved. These include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss, Sprite and Tropico – including variants such as light and zero. Drinks in plastic PET bottles, drink fountains, and tetra packs are not affected. Coca-Cola has apologised to its consumers and commercial partners.