Soda lovers, it's time to check your stash. Recent recalls involving Coca-Cola products have raised concerns about potential contamination. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to ensure your safety.
Recent FDA Recall in Texas
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a Class II recall of select Coca-Cola products manufactured at a Texas facility. The recall was initiated on Oct. 3 by Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LLC. The Class II designation suggests that any health effects from consuming the contaminated product are expected to be temporary or medically reversible. However, the FDA cited concerns over the “potential presence of foreign material (metal) in the product.”
Affected Products
The recall applies to just over 4,000 units of Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Sprite cans. All affected products were sold in Texas. Here’s a detailed list of the recalled items:
- Coca-Cola cans, 24-pack (UPC 49000012781 / code date JUN2926MAA) - 2,322 units
- Coca-Cola cans, 35-pack (UPC 49000058468 / code date JUN2926MAA)
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar cans, 12-pack (UPC 49000012781 / code date JUN2926MAA) - 1,115 units
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar cans, 35-pack (UPC 49000058499 / code date FEB0226MAA)
- Sprite cans, 12-pack (UPC 49000028928 / code date JUN2926MAA) - 791 units
- Sprite cans, 12-pack (UPC 49000028928 / code date JUN3026MAB)
- Sprite cans, 35-pack (UPC 49000058482 / code date JUN2926MAA)
A Coca-Cola spokesperson described the recall as “small” and “localized,” involving “a very limited quantity” of product. As of Oct. 10, all affected products were removed from store shelves “out of an abundance of caution.”
What to Do If You Have Recalled Products
If you have any of the affected products, do not drink them, as consuming metal fragments can cause internal injury. Instead, dispose of the cans or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange.
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Distribution Area
The recalled products were distributed in parts of Texas, specifically the McAllen/Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. The recall didn’t extend beyond this area, so anyone outside of the Lone Star State can rest easy.
Previous Recall in Multiple States
It’s worth noting that Coca-Cola previously issued a recall on certain US cans of Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Sprite. According to the FDA report, the recall was initiated on Nov. 6 by the Alabama-based United Packers, LLC. The sodas were distributed in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The recall, which includes 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, affected 1,557 cases of Sprite, 417 cases of Diet Coke and 14 cases of Fanta Orange.
Potential Dangers of Consuming Coca-Cola
Beyond accidental contamination, concerns have been raised about the general health effects of consuming Coca-Cola. British pharmacist Niraj Naik revealed the disturbing consequences of consuming a can of Coke, asserting the effects mirror those from the drug heroin. A single can of Coca-Cola packs 10 teaspoons of sugar- sufficient to trigger immediate vomiting, Niraj explains.
Immediate Effects
The intense sweetness of Coca-Cola resulting from its high sugar content should make a person vomit as soon as it enters the body. However, the phosphoric acid in the beverage dulls the sweetness, enabling people to keep the drink down. In merely ten minutes, your dental enamel is attacked. The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system. Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar.
Effects After 20-40 Minutes
The non-diet versions of Coca-Cola can cause a significant spike in blood sugar within just 20 minutes, leading to an insulin surge and forcing the liver to convert the "high amount of sugar into fat." After 40 minutes, your body has fully absorbed the caffeine from the Coke, causing your pupils to dilate and your blood pressure to rise. By this point, the drink has also "blocked the adenosine receptors" in your brain, preventing you from feeling sleepy.
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Dopamine Production and the Sugar Crash
Five minutes later, dopamine production kicks in. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. The way that Coca-Cola stimulates these centers is comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person's urge to drink another can. This dopamine rush is what causes the cravings, but after about an hour, you'll experience a sugar crash, which can lead to "irritability and drowsiness". At this point, your body will have "cleared the water from the cola, along with vital nutrients, in the urine."
Coca-Cola's Response
Coca-Cola has addressed the concerns about the high sugar content in their drinks. In a statement, they acknowledged that their beverages contain sugar and caffeine, but emphasized that they are "fine in moderation" and cautioned that too much "isn't good for anyone." The statement read: "Like all food and beverages, soft drinks with sugar can be consumed as part of a balanced lifestyle as long as people don't consume them to excess." They also pointed out that they offer a "variety of great-tasting beverages with reduced, low or no sugar and calories." The statement continued: "That's also why many of our beverages come in small pack sizes.
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