The Food Standards Agency has launched an investigation to find out whether Coca-Cola products with high levels of chlorate are on the UK market.
It comes after the Coca-Cola manufacturer recalled drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after testing revealed elevated levels of the chemical additive.
The company’s bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said there had been no complaints or concerns from consumers in the UK.
Chlorates are a breakdown product of chlorine disinfectants and chlorine-containing chemicals that are often used to sterilise water. They can lead to iodine deficiency in the body and are regulated by statutory maximum residue levels for a range of foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables, according to Food Standards Scotland.
Anna Gravett from the FSA said on Monday: the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating whether Coca-Cola products with elevated levels of chlorates are on the UK market. She said:
“If we find unsafe products, we will take action to remove them and notify consumers.”
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said in a statement:
“The recall is aimed at Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where most of the affected products have been withdrawn from sale. Routine testing has shown that some products contain elevated levels of chlorates. Independent analyses by experts have shown that the likelihood of any health risks arising from consumption of these products is extremely low. 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 328 GE to 338 GE found on the bottom of the can were affected. We have reported this issue to the food safety regulators in the UK and remain in contact with them. We have not had any complaints or concerns from consumers in the UK.”
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority identified that chlorate levels in drinking water and food are too high and can lead to serious health effects, particularly among babies and children.
These include impaired thyroid function due to inhibition of iodine absorption.
