Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on February 21, 2025
A recall in the UK due to chlorate in Coca Cola has made national news. It seems like every time I open my newsfeed, there is a confusing article about a recall for this popular beverage.
But does it affect me?
While there are no indications that these Coca Cola products are a threat to the U.S. market, it is a good opportunity to talk about what chlorate is. And how it gets into food. Because it could happen here. And it could happen in more than just Coca Cola products.
Here’s what we know about the chlorate in Coca Cola recall.
The Coca Cola company has recalled certain Coke and Sprite products due to the potential presence of higher than normal levels of chlorate.
This recall is specifically for products that were made at the Ghent, Belgium bottling facility during a specific window of time.
The problem was identified by the company’s bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners after discovering the issue. According to the announcement, a specific container in the water treatment process was the origin of the contamination.
Production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE are subject to the recall.
Affected products include:
These products were stocked in cafes and restaurants across the region.
This UK recall comes after similar recall announcements in other countries, where potentially contaminated product made it to the market.
Luxembourg, Belgium, and The Netherlands also experienced recalls.
Other products, “including standard cans, and all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not impacted,” Coca Cola said in a statement.
In response to the chlorate in Coca Cola recall, the company issued a statement.
“The quality and safety of our products is our top priority and we’re sorry that on this occasion, a small number of our products have not met our high standards, and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”
Could a chlorate contamination event happen in the US?
Absolutely!
Recalls are costly and product contamination is dangerous. So food manufacturers work hard to prevent this type of situation from occurring. But sometimes lapses in safety procedures enable problems like this to happen.
This situation is not limited to beverage manufacturing.
All food and beverage manufacturers who use chlorine-based sanitizers or chlorinated water run the risk of chlorate contamination if levels are not properly maintained.
When this happens, people get sick.
And it is a big deal!
The UK Food Standards Agency indicates that, based on risks assessments performed by the organization, the risk for illness is low.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the UK Food Standards Agency said, “Based on our risk assessment, the food safety concern from these products is low, especially when consumed only occasionally. However, adverse health effects cannot be ruled out for consumers with pre-existing medical conditions who are sensitive to chlorate.”
While there is no maximum European Union or United Kingdome legal level of chlorate in food or drink, the World Health Organization advises that chlorate levels should not exceed 0.7 mg/L.
The Coca Cola company has not confirmed the amount of chlorate in the contaminated batch, but the UK food Standards Agency indicates minimal risk.
What exactly is chlorate? And how could it have gotten into the beverages?
It turns out that chlorate is the byproduct made from chlorine. A chemical often used for food processing and to disinfect food processing equipment.
Common foods associated with chlorate contamination usually include fruit and vegetables. More specifically, frozen fruit and vegetables. Though drinking water is overwhelmingly the most common source.
In fact, drinking water contributes to up to 60% of the chronic chlorate exposure reported in infants.
If it is a byproduct of a commonly used disinfection product, and even found in our drinking water, what happens if you consume too much chlorate?
There is a complicated answer to that complicated question.
The short answer is, it depends on how much and how often it is consumed.
If you were to consume a lot of chlorate at once (or during a single day), this would be considered acute exposure.
If you were to consume more than, say, 36 µg/kg of body weight per day, this would be considered acute exposure.
At this level, chlorate impacts the blood’s ability to absorb oxygen. A phenomenon that can lead to kidney failure.
Moderate amounts of chlorate consumed regularly over time is considered “chronic exposure.”
The daily limit for this type of exposure is 3 µ/kg of body weight per day.
Chronic chlorate exposure affects the body’s ability to take in iodine. A problem that can impact the thyroid. Infants, toddlers, and children under 10 are most susceptible to these effects.
If you have been impacted by acute or chronic chlorate exposure, you may have a legal case. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a food poisoning lawyer that can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no-obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Or fill out the online submission form and someone will get back to you soon.
Don’t wait! Call today to get the justice you deserve.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Chlorate in Coca Cola Recall Affects UK, But What is Chlorate?,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)