Coca-Cola HBC Pulls Out Beverages in Croatia Over Mysterious Illnesses Report

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company or simply Coca-Cola HBC withdrew its beverages in Croatia while the officials are investigating mysterious illnesses that are suspected to have been caused by the products.

According to Reuters, the state inspection office in the region ordered the Coca-Cola HBC bottling company to take back some batches of two soft drinks brands. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the officials asked the Croatian unit of the Coca-Cola Company to stop the sake of the specified products as well.

Coca-Cola to Comply With the Order

Coca-Cola HBC which distributes the brand’s products in the country released a statement following the order from the inspection office. In the note that was published by local media, the company said it carried out an internal check but did not find any irregularities in its drinks, the Irish Independent reported.

The Coke maker said that despite its findings, it would still follow the order and withdraw the batches until the state’s probe is completed.

What Sparked the Probe on Coca-Cola’s Soft Drinks

Based on the reports, an investigation was carried out after a young man from the town of Rijeka suddenly complained of throat injuries after drinking a flavored Coca-Cola mineral drink in a cafe. He was immediately brought to the hospital and while still being treated, six more individuals with suspected similar cases showed up in other locations which are the towns of Varazdin and Zagreb.

The country’s health minister, Vili Beros, confirmed the cases of all the individuals. He said that all have been examined in a medical facility but most of them were already sent home.

Finally, the health official said they did not find a direct connection with the cases yet and analysis of drink samples is still ongoing but they expect to get the results soon. The products that were temporarily withdrawn by Coca-Cola HBC Croatia are one batch of Coca-Cola Original Taste in 500 ml. bottles and two batches of Romerquelle Emotion Blueberry Pomegranate in 330 ml. containers.

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