Coca-Cola under investigation by UK Food Standards amid mass recall over one ingredient
The UK Food Standards Agency is investigating Coca-Cola after news of a Europe-wide recall.
The drinks giant manufactures some of the most popular drinks in the world, including their eponymous Coca-Cola soft drink. While the recall is "focused on Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where the majority of affected products have been withdrawn from sale", five product lines had been shipped to Britain, and they had already been sold.
Affected products include the Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid brands, according to the Belgium branch of Coca-Cola's international bottling and distribution operation. The reason for the recall is one key ingredient in the manufacturing process; chlorate.
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This chemical compound had been identified as a risk by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) back in 2015, when they found the levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods to be too high, and could result in health risks to infants and children, as well as pregnant women with thyroid disorders. It affects iodine absorption in those susceptible, leading to thyroid problems, lowered red blood cell counts and bone marrow issues.
Anne Gravett of the FSA confirmed that “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 assured the public that “If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.” But what is chlorate, and what does it do?
Chlorate originates from by-products of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water and in food processing with drinking water being by far the main contributor. According to Food Standards Scotland, "Chlorate can cause iodine deficiency in people, and are regulated with legal MRLs (maximum residue limits) for a range of foods, including fresh produce."
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company’s botting partner, confirmed that “Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low" which will be a relief to many.
The lines that have been affected across Europe are "a very small number of imported cans of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.”
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said it "considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority".