In October 2024, Coca-Cola HBC Austria recalled 28 million half-litre bottles due to a bottling fault that might have introduced metal particles. The items with the impacted best-before dates varied from February 4 to April 12, 2025, and the consumers were warned not to use them due to potential health concerns. The recall was conducted in close liaison with the Austrian authorities, and other packaging quantities and brands remained unaffected.
Growth
The recall further expanded to Germany, covering several federal states, such as Thuringia, Bavaria, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In reference to the same products and best-before dates, the German recall was the same as the Austrian one. Retailers and customers were told to return affected bottles for a refund, even without proof of purchase.
Recalls of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was recalled again in January 2025, this time in several European countries, including Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The recall was due to high chlorate levels, a byproduct of chlorine disinfectants in food processing and water treatment. On the market since November 2024, the affected products were Sprite, Tropico, Minute Maid, Coca-Cola, and Fanta. Chlorate is dangerous to health if taken in large quantities by young individuals and people who have an iodine deficiency. Coca-Cola restated its commitment to product safety and collaborated with police to address the issue.
Contamination by Plastic
A recall of over 10,000 Original Coca-Cola cans was initiated in March 2025 by Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, LLC due to potential plastic contamination. The recall affects 12-ounce cans with date code SEP2925MDA and time stamps 1100–1253, distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin. ChatGPT said:
Consumers were advised to return the products for a refund or exchange and not consume them. The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, indicating temporary issues like digestion problems or allergies but no serious risk.
Safety of Products
Coca-Cola has consistently demonstrated its commitment to consumer safety and product quality in all these cases. The company has worked closely with the relevant authorities to rectify potential health risks, withdraw affected products from the market, and prevent such occurrences. Consumers are advised to follow the company’s and health authorities’ advice and stay informed about product recalls.
