Coca-Cola plant in China shut over chlorine tainted drinks

Beijing, China (AHN) – Chinese regulators have suspended the operation of a Coca-Cola Co. plant in Shanxi province after learning that water with allegedly high chlorine content was used to make a batch of beverages there in February. The company has denied the allegations.

The Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision discovered the illegal chlorine level during an inspection of the plant run by Coca-Cola (Shanxi) Beverage Ltd. early this month. The inspection followed a whistleblower’s report of the chlorine levels to the local media.

As penalty for the violation, the bureau suspended operations of the plant for an indefinite period.

A spokeswoman of the Coca-Cola Co. in Atlanta, Georgia said the company found less than 0.005 milligrams of chlorine per liter in the water used to produce a batch of beverages on Feb. 4 and 8. The level, according to her, is below the national limit of China and the World Health Organization standard for purified drinking water.

The spokeswoman also assured that the products produced in the plant are safe for consumers and quality control issues at the plant are being resolved.

She added that the suspension of the plant’s operation will not affect the company’s business in China, it’s second largest market after India.

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in water but high concentration is hazardous to human health.

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