The Chan School of Public Health emphasizes the importance of reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, stating that even one can a day of these beverages can lead to significant weight gain if not compensated by reducing calories in other areas. Furthermore, the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco) warns about the dietary imbalance that excessive consumption of these drinks can cause, which increases the risk of obesity.
Regarding Coca-Cola and other sugary sodas, it is noted that they can be harmful to renal health, especially due to their high sugar content. Experts have indicated that consumers would need to ingest large amounts of products contaminated with chlorate to experience serious effects, although they emphasize that such amounts are unlikely to be present in the drinks.
In a statement, the Coca-Cola company apologized to consumers and business partners for the situation. The presence of chlorate, a potentially harmful chemical, in the sodas has led to the recall of batches in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Consumers have been advised not to consume the affected products and to return them for a refund.
Chlorate, arising from chlorine disinfectants used in water treatment, has been linked to potential health problems, particularly disruptions in thyroid gland function. Coca-Cola identified the source of the problem in a specific container at its plant in Ghent, Belgium, during routine safety checks.
Authorities in several European countries, including Denmark, Portugal, and Romania, have been alerted about the situation and the risk has been designated as "serious." Additionally, products were withdrawn in certain European countries after abnormally high levels of chlorate were detected in the beverages, with this chemical considered potentially harmful to health.
