Coca-Cola has initiated a recall of several soft drinks in Europe.

This follows the detection of elevated levels of chlorate, a chemical byproduct of chlorine disinfectants, in bottles and cans at a production facility in Belgium.

The affected products include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, and Fuze Tea, with the recall covering batches produced between codes 328 GE and 338 GE.

These products were distributed in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The company also noted that a small quantity of these drinks had been shipped to France, Germany, and Great Britain, though no recall was issued in these countries.

Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal, and Romania were alerted through the EU’s rapid alert system, which classified the risk as “serious” and prompted investigations into whether contaminated products were on store shelves or in vending machines.

Chlorate, which can result from water treatment processes using chlorine disinfectants, has been associated with potential health risks, particularly for children, as it can disrupt thyroid function.

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Coca-Cola traced the contamination to a specific container used during water treatment at its Ghent factory, identified during routine safety checks.

The company has advised consumers not to drink any products from the affected batches and to return them for a refund.

“We apologize to consumers and our commercial partners,” Coca-Cola stated.

While experts emphasize that the likelihood of serious health effects from chlorate contamination is very low requiring the consumption of large quantities to pose any risk.

Philippe Jorens, a professor of poisons and critical care at Antwerp University Hospital, noted that it would take a considerable amount of the contaminated drinks to cause harm.

Reported by NBC 5 CHICAGO