A “small number” of cans of Coca-Cola and Appletiser have been recalled in the UK after testing abroad revealed elevated levels of the chemical chlorate.
The recall includes imported multipacks of 250ml Appletiser cans, which were sent only to UK supermarkets, and imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were sent to cafes and restaurants during a limited time period.
All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.
Coca-Cola’s bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said the majority of Coca-Cola products, including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK, were not affected.
It added in a statement: “Following ongoing dialogue with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), we are recalling a small number of imported cans of 6 x 250ml Appletiser multipacks.
“We are also removing a small amount of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero.
“Whilst independent analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low, we encourage anyone with an affected can to please call our customer service team on 0800 227711 who will be able to help.
“No other Coca-Cola products are affected by the issue.
The statement came after the company said batches of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero were pulled from shelves in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after testing revealed “elevated levels” of chlorate.
On Tuesday, the FSA said there had been a “limited distribution to the UK” of Coca-Cola soft drinks containing higher levels of the chemical.
Tina Potter, the head of incidents at the agency, said the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners international product withdrawal related to a “small number of their soft drinks” which contained higher levels of chlorate.
Chlorate is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorine-based sanitisers and chlorine chemicals, which are frequently used to sterilise water.
It can cause iodine deficiency in people and is regulated with legal maximum residue limits for a range of foods, including fresh produce, according to Food Standards Scotland.
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high and could result in serious health effects, especially among infants and children.
These included impaired functioning of the thyroid due to inhibition of iodine uptake.
Article by:Source: PA Media
