One day after it recalled some of its soft drinks in Europe, Coca-Cola said some products sold in the UK may also contain elevated levels of chlorate
Coca-Cola has issued a major recall of a number of products sold in the UK over fears they could contain high levels of chlorate.
The products recalled include multipacks of six 250ml cans of Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Gently Sparkling. Other products are 330ml cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero and Sprite Zero which were sent only to cafes and restaurants. Standard dimension cans, all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not being recalled, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said.
The company has shared the exact batch and production codes that have been recalled and urged consumers to avoid drinking them. The recall comes just one day after the company recalled a number of drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Chlorate comes from chlorine disinfectants which are used in the treatment of water used for food processing. The chemical has been linked to potentially serious health problems, notably among children by interfering with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
These are all the products being recalled:
Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Gently Sparkling
Pack size: 6 X 250ml multipack
Batch code: 0008905850 0008908477
Best before: 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025
The company said: “We are recalling a very small number of multipacks of Appletiser 6 x 250ml cans due to the presence of an elevated level of chlorate in the product. The cans impacted are identified by a production code printed on their base – which will be from 328 GE to 338 GE – and best before dates of 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025. No other Appletiser products are affected by this issue.”
Coca-Cola
Pack size: 330ml tall can
Batch code: 0008912462
Best before: 30 November 2025
Diet Coke
Pack size: 330ml tall can
Batch code: 0008913820
Best before: 31 May 2025
Coca-Cola Zero
Pack size: 330ml tall can
Batch code: 0008913954
Best before: 31 May 2025
Sprite Zero
Pack size: 330ml tall can
Batch code: 0008913247
Best before: 30 June 2025
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said: “We are recalling a small number of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were sent only to cafes and restaurants. All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.”
The risk statement, shared by the Food Standards Agency this evening, says: “This product may contain elevated levels of chlorate. This poses a low food safety concern, especially when consumed only occasionally. However adverse health effects cannot be ruled out for consumers sensitive to Chlorate, in particular young children and consumers with pre-existing medical conditions such as thyroid deficiency, blood conditions, especially anaemia, or those with kidney diseases.
“Long term consumption of chlorate can lead to the inhibition of iodine uptake, this could potentially cause adverse health effects such as goitre. A single high intake of chlorate, (as an acute exposure), could limit the body’s ability to absorb oxygen from the blood, and could in severe cases lead to kidney failure.”
If you have bought any of the recalled products, you shouldn’t consume them. Instead, consumers who have purchased the affected products should call Coca-Cola’s customer service team on 0800 227711 for assistance.
