A large recall has been issued across Europe for Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other soft drinks because of safety fears, after the discovery of high levels of a chemical by-product from chlorine disinfectants.
Some of the drinks, sealed in cans and glass bottles at a factory in Belgium, contain “excessively high chlorate content”, warned officials.
The affected products also include Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium told AFP the contaminated drinks have been distributed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, France and Luxembourg since November.
Chlorate, which can cause iodine deficiency, is a by-product of chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing, reports Sky News.
Exposure to high levels of the chemical compound can cause health issues including thyroid problems, especially among children and babies.
In a 2015 scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority said long-term exposure to chlorate posed a potential health concern for children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said: “Independent expert analysis concludes that any associated risk for consumers is very low.”
Most of the affected and unsold products have already been removed from store shelves and “we continue to take measures to remove all remaining products from the market”.