What is chlorate and why are Coca-Cola products under investigation?

Coca-Cola products for sale in the UK are being investigated to see if they have high levels of a chemical called chlorate.

The drinks giant recalled products in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after testing revealed “elevated levels” of the chemical.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company’s botting partner, said it had received “no consumer complaints or concerns in Great Britain”.

“The recall is focused on Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where the majority of affected products have been withdrawn from sale,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“Routine testing identified that certain products contained elevated levels of chlorate.

“Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low.

“This has affected 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 from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can.”

Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico are among the affected products – not all of which are widely sold in the UK.

The Food Standards Agency confirmed an investigation is under way to find out if any of the products with higher levels are available in the UK.

Anne Gravett of the FSA said on Monday: “If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.”

What is chlorate and what risks does it pose?

According to Food Standards Scotland, chlorate, a by-product of chlorine-based sanitisers used to sterilise water, can lead to iodine deficiency and is subject to strict legal limits in foods.

It was discovered in 2014 by an official control laboratory by coincidence.

A year later, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warned that chlorate levels in food and drinking water were too high.

It was said this could pose health risks, especially for infants and children, including thyroid problems caused by reduced iodine absorption.

This can have serious heath implications, including lowered red blood cell counts and a changed composition of the components of bone marrow.

Another group at risk is pregnant women who also have thyroid function disorders.

How does chlorate end up in food?

According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) sodium and potassium chlorate used to be employed as herbicides.

However, the use of plant protection and biocidal products containing chlorate is no longer permitted in the EU.

Chlorate can occur as a by-product when using chlorinated substances for cleaning or disinfection.

Experts say the main path to being in food is in the course of production of water which has been treated previously with chlorinated biocidal products for disinfection purposes.

Chlorate is frequently detected in deep-frozen vegetables, fruit juices and lettuce and herbs.

The European Food Safety Authority says the repeated intake of chlorate among the younger population with a slight to moderate iodine insufficiency gives cause for concern.

However, a one-time intake is regarded as non-critical.