Coca-Cola Recalls Soft Drinks in Europe Due to Elevated Chlorate Levels

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Coca-Cola has issued a safety recall of several soft drink products in Europe due to higher-than-normal levels of a chemical called chlorate. The recall affects drinks distributed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, France, and Luxembourg since November of the previous year. The affected products include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, Fuze Tea, Nalu, Tropico, and Royal Bliss, both in cans and glass bottles.

The issue was traced back to a specific container used in the water treatment process at Coca-Cola's factory in Ghent, Belgium. Chlorate, a chemical compound typically found in food products due to the use of chlorine disinfectants in water treatment, poses potential health risks. High levels of chlorate can interfere with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, especially among children and babies.

Despite the recall, experts suggest that the risk to consumers is very low. Philippe Jorens, a poisons and critical care professor at Antwerp University Hospital, noted that consumers would have to drink a large quantity of the contaminated product to experience any serious health effects. The European Union's rapid alert system has notified health authorities in Denmark, Portugal, and Romania to investigate potential contamination of shop shelves and vending machines.

Coca-Cola has advised consumers not to consume the recalled products and to return them to the point of sale for a refund. The company has expressed its apologies to consumers and its commercial partners for the inconvenience caused by the recall.