Thousands of Coca-Cola-branded cans and glass bottles have been recalled from the European market.
The representative of the well-known manufacturer in Belgium has announced that a large amount of products is being recalled due to high levels of chlorate.
The products to be withdrawn from the market include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico, which have been distributed in Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Luxembourg since November.
This recall concerns products with a production code from 328GE to 338GE, which is found on the bottom of the cans or on the neck or label of the glass bottles. Consumers are asked not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale for a full refund.
"Although we do not have an exact number, it is a significant amount of recalled products," Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium told the French News Agency (AFP).
“The majority of the affected and unsold products have already been removed from store shelves, and we are continuing to take measures to recall all remaining products from the market,” the company added, noting that it is “in constant contact with the competent authorities in each of the affected markets.”
Chlorate, a byproduct of chlorine, is a disinfectant used to treat drinking water. “We are conducting tests at our Ghent plant as part of our regulatory compliance and control procedures. These tests have revealed high levels of chlorate,” the company explained.