Coca-Cola recalls UK products over chlorate contamination concerns

Coca-Cola has issued a major recall of some of its products sold in the UK over fears they could contain high levels of the chemical chlorate, which is used in the treatment of water

Coca-Cola has announced a major recall of several products sold in the UK due to concerns they may contain high levels of chlorate. The recalled items include multipack cans of 250ml Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Gently Sparkling.

Other affected products are 330ml cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero and Sprite Zero, which were distributed exclusively to cafes and restaurants. Standard size cans, as well as all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK, are not included in the recall, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. 

The company has provided the specific batch and production codes for the recalled items and advised consumers against consuming them. This recall follows a similar action taken by the company just one day earlier in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Chlorate, derived from chlorine disinfectants used in treating water for food processing, has been associated with potentially serious health issues, particularly in children, as it can disrupt the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

The company said: "We are recalling a very small number of multipacks of Appletiser 6 x 250ml cans due to the presence of an elevated level of chlorate in the product. The cans impacted are identified by a production code printed on their base - which will be from 328 GE to 338 GE - and best before dates of 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025. No other Appletiser products are affected by this issue.", reports the Mirror.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners stated: "We are recalling a small number of tall, imported cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, which were sent only to cafes and restaurants. All affected cans have the production codes from 328 GE to 338 GE, which can be found on the base of the can."

he recalled products include:

Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Gently Sparkling

Pack size: 6 X 250ml multipack

Batch code: 0008905850 0008908477

Best before: 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025.

Coca-Cola

Pack size: 330ml tall can

Batch code: 0008912462

Best before: 30 November 2025

Diet Coke

Pack size: 330ml tall can

Batch code: 0008913820

Best before: 31 May 2025

Coca-Cola Zero

Pack size: 330ml tall can

Batch code: 0008913954

Best before: 31 May 2025

Sprite Zero

Pack size: 330ml tall can

Batch code: 0008913247

Best before: 30 June 2025

The risk statement, released by the Food Standards Agency this evening, warns: "This product may contain elevated levels of chlorate. This poses a low food safety concern, especially when consumed only occasionally.

"However adverse health effects cannot be ruled out for consumers sensitive to Chlorate, in particular young children and consumers with pre-existing medical conditions such as thyroid deficiency, blood conditions, especially anaemia, or those with kidney diseases."

"Long term consumption of chlorate can lead to the inhibition of iodine uptake, this could potentially cause adverse health effects such as goitre. A single high intake of chlorate, (as an acute exposure), could limit the body’s ability to absorb oxygen from the blood, and could in severe cases lead to kidney failure."

Emily Hughes