Product withdrawal of Dasani bottled still water
Friday 19 March 2004
Category D: For information only
Ref: 12/2004
Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware of a product withdrawal by The Coca-Cola Company of their Dasani brand bottled still water. The product has been found to contain raised levels of bromate, which exceed the permitted quantity stated in the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999 as amended.
The product has been on sale throughout the UK in retail outlets and from vending machines.
The product recalled is:
All Dasani bottled still water
No other Coca Cola products are known to be affected
Local authorities may wish to refer to the Food Standard Agency's web statement and Q&A regarding Dasani water attached below.
The Coca-Cola Company has issued a press statement (see attached). In addition a consumer care line has been set up by the company, the number for which is: 0800 227 711.
Product withdrawal statement issued by the Coca-Cola Company
Voluntary withdrawal of Dasani in UK
11.45 am Friday 19 March
To ensure that only products of the highest quality are provided to our consumers, Coca-Cola is voluntarily withdrawing all Dasani products currently in the marketplace in the UK. The withdrawal began on Friday, 19 March 2004, and will be 80-85 per cent completed within 24 hours.
Calcium is a legal requirement in all bottled water products in the UK, including Dasani. To deliver the required calcium, we add back calcium chloride into the product. Through detailed analysis, we discovered that our product did not meet our quality standards. Because of the high level of bromide contained in the calcium chloride, a derivate of bromide, bromate, was formed at a level that exceeded UK legal standards. This occurred during the ozonisation process we employ in manufacturing.
Immediately after we identified this issue, we consulted with the Food Standards Agency. The FSA has confirmed that there is no immediate health or safety issue. The withdrawal is a precautionary measure.
If consumers have concerns or wish to return product purchased they should contact the free phone consumer care line 0800 227 711. The care line number appears on all Dasani packs.
We are working closely with all our stockists to remove the product from the marketplace. This withdrawal only affects Dasani in the UK market.
Our consumers rightly expect that our products meet only the highest possible standards for quality as well as all UK regulations.
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