Soft drinks are a staple in households worldwide, with brands like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta among the most recognized.
Consumers rarely question the safety of these beverages, trusting that strict regulations keep them free from harmful substances.
But when a major recall is announced, it raises concerns about what people are actually drinking.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company responsible for bottling and distributing Coca-Cola products in Europe, has launched a massive recall of several beverages.
Chemical Found in Disinfectants
The affected drinks include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss, and Tropico.
The recall applies to cans and bottles sold since late November in Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Luxembourg.
The issue came to light during routine quality control checks at a production facility in Ghent, Belgium, according to Digi24.
These tests revealed elevated levels of chlorate, a chemical commonly found in disinfectants used for water treatment.
While chlorate is not unusual in small amounts, excessive exposure can pose health risks.
Regulatory bodies in Europe have long monitored chlorate levels in food and beverages.
The European Food Safety Authority warned in 2015 that prolonged exposure to chlorate could be harmful, particularly for children with iodine deficiencies.
Since drinking water is the main source of chlorate exposure, additional intake from beverages could increase health concerns.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has assured customers that most of the affected products have already been pulled from store shelves.
The company continues working with authorities to ensure that all remaining stock is removed. While officials have not disclosed precise chlorate levels, they acknowledge that the contamination is significant.
Consumers in affected countries are advised to check if they have purchased any of the recalled beverages.
