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Coca-Cola has recalled some of its beverage products in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands because they contain higher levels of the chemical chlorate.

Chlorate can be produced as a byproduct of chlorine-based disinfectants that are widely used in water treatment and food processing. Exposure to high levels of the chemical can result in health problems including impaired thyroid function due to reduced iodine uptake, particularly among infants and children.

Products impacted by the recall include the company’s Coca-Cola, Sprite, Tropico, Fanta, Minute Maid and Appletiser brands.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) said that the current recall applies specifically to products with certain batch codes in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands only.

The spokesperson commented: “Coca-Cola Europacific Partners considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority. In consultation with authorities in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, we are recalling products with production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE because they contain higher levels of chlorate.”

 The production codes can be identified on the base of the beverage cans. In its statement, the CCEP spokesperson added that independent expert analysis has concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk for consumers is “very low”.

“We are also in contact with authorities in a very small number of European markets where a limited quantity of stock was also shipped,” they continued. “No other product recalls have been initiated outside of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.”

According to BBC News, just five product lines had been shipped to Britain and had already been sold. The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is now investigating the issue. Tina Potter, the FSA's head of incidents, commented: "We can confirm that there has been limited distribution to the UK of the affected products. We are working with relevant authorities and the business directly to assess if there is a food safety concern for UK consumers."

Potter added: "If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers".

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