Coca-Cola issues UK recall of Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite

The company has urged consumers to avoid drinking them.

Chlorates can be toxic to humans, especially when ingested or inhaled.

Chlorate exposure can cause a variety of health effects, including skin and eye irritation and gastrointestinal distress.

It can also limit the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, leading to kidney failure.

The products recalled by the soft drink manufacturer include multipacks of six 250ml cans of Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Gently Sparkling, as well as 330ml cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero and Sprite Zero which were sent only to cafes and restaurants.

Standard dimension cans, all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK are not being recalled, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners clarified.

The company has shared the exact batch and production codes that have been recalled and urged consumers to avoid drinking them.

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

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."

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

The recall comes just one day after the company recalled a number of drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The risk statement, shared by the Food Standards Agency, says: "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.

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - Coca-Cola Europacific Partners recalls a small range of soft drinks as a precaution because of elevated levels of Chlorate #FoodAlert https://t.co/Uw5ZuZ24Rz pic.twitter.com/My4nGdfNH8

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) January 29, 2025

"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."

If you have bought any of the recalled products, you shouldn't consume them. Instead, consumers who have purchased the affected products should call Coca-Cola's customer service team on 0800 227711 for assistance.