Coca-Cola Recalls 10,000 Cans Over Plastic Contamination Concerns
Coca-Cola has issued a voluntary recall of 10,000 cans of its Coca-Cola Original Taste product after discovering plastic contamination in a recent production batch. The incident impacts select 12-ounce cans distributed in multiple U.S. states, with the company confirming no injuries or health issues reported so far.
The recall was initiated after quality assurance teams detected the presence of a “foreign object,” later identified as plastic, during internal safety checks at one of Coca-Cola’s manufacturing facilities. Affected cans were primarily produced in mid-March and distributed to retailers in New York, Pennsylvania, and other surrounding markets.
While the company describes the contamination as an isolated incident, the voluntary recall aims to prevent any potential health risks and maintain consumer trust. Coca-Cola has notified distributors and retail partners and is working to remove the impacted inventory from shelves rapidly.
“Our safety and quality standards are the highest priority,” the company said in a statement. Referring to the contamination as a “low-risk” issue, Coca-Cola emphasized that the decision to recall was made out of an abundance of caution.
From an industry standpoint, the recall highlights the critical importance of supply chain monitoring and robust quality control practices within the beverage sector. Mechanical or human error during the canning or sealing process has the potential to result in significant reputational and financial damage, particularly for legacy brands with global reach.
Incidents of foreign object contamination, including plastics, have led to increased consumer vigilance and regulatory scrutiny in recent years. For FMCG retailers and manufacturers, this recall serves as a sharp reminder of the need for proactive safety systems and clear crisis communication protocols.
Consumers who purchased affected products are advised to return the cans to the point of purchase for a full refund. Coca-Cola has also set up a hotline for additional consumer inquiries.
As consumer expectations for product safety continue to rise, consistency in quality assurance remains non-negotiable for leading FMCG brands, especially in the highly visible carbonated soft drinks category.