Scientists have long known that those who regularly consume carbonated drinks, such as Coca-Cola, are more likely to suffer from cardiac and dental problems, compared to those who choose water.
But now the drink is attracting new attention after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced an investigation into possible chlorine contamination.
This came hours after Coca-Cola revealed it had recalled products including Fuze Tea, Fanta, Coca-Cola, Sprite and Tropico in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands after tests revealed high levels of the chemical.
Officials were unsure of the exact number of drinks affected, however they added that "most of the affected and unsold products" had been removed.
The company's bottling partner, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, also stated that it had not received any "complaints or concerns from consumers in the UK."
Chlorate is a chemical compound often present in food and water due to its use in water treatment and food processing.
It is a byproduct of chlorine, widely known for its use in swimming pools and as a disinfectant.
While small amounts are usually harmless, research has long suggested that high levels of exposure can pose serious health risks — especially for sensitive groups like the elderly — including thyroid dysfunction and even kidney failure.
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority stated that long-term exposure to chlorate could be a “potential health concern for children.”
The same report also found that chronic exposure over time can inhibit iodine absorption.
Iodine deficiency can impair thyroid function — which regulates many body functions, including metabolism.
"A high intake of chlorate in a single day could be toxic to humans, as it can limit the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, leading to kidney failure," they added - GazetaExpress reports.
This is because very high doses can cause methemoglobinemia — a rare blood disorder that occurs when there is too much methemoglobin in the blood, preventing red blood cells from delivering enough oxygen.
A 2021 report by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also concluded that prolonged exposure to chlorate “will have an impact on the thyroid gland due to competitive inhibition of iodine absorption,” causing long-term problems.
However, they also noted that "disorders of thyroid hormone balance have been observed in rats and mice. There are no studies available on these effects in humans."
A 2012 Italian study also found that women exposed to high levels of chlorate in drinking water during pregnancy were at “higher risk of their babies having obstructive urinary defects.”
Writing in the journal Environmental Research, the researchers said the babies were also at higher risk for cleft palate and spina bifida, a condition where the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly during pregnancy, causing a gap in the spine.
Coca-Cola has not disclosed the exact levels of chlorate found in the affected batches of its products.
However, according to EFSA guidelines, consuming up to 36 micrograms of chlorate per kilogram of body weight per day is considered safe.
Officials said the product recall is a precautionary measure to minimize potential health risks, ensuring that long-term exposure to high levels of chlorate is avoided.
Anne Gravett, product manager at the FSA, said: “If we identify any unsafe food, we will take action to ensure it is removed and we will notify consumers.”
In a statement, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners also said: "The recall is focused on Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where most of the affected products have been removed from sale."
"Routine testing identified that some products contained high levels of chlorate. Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any risk associated with temporary ill health 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."
"We have informed the UK food safety authorities and remain in communication with them. We have not received any complaints or concerns from UK consumers."
Studies have also shown that excessive consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of heart disease and many other chronic diseases, including diabetes and cancer. /Express newspaper/
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