Coca-Cola HBC Austria has issued one of the largest recalls in Austria’s history, involving millions of half-liter plastic bottles of popular beverages due to potential contamination with metal fragments. This extensive recall, initially impacting Austria, now extends to Germany as reports indicate potentially affected batches may have reached the German market.
The recall was launched after a technical fault involving a defective sieve in a production facility raised concerns that metal fragments could be present in some products. The recall affects up to 28 million half-liter bottles of Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and MezzoMix with best-before dates between February 4 and April 12, 2025, marked with the label "WP". In Austria alone, the Vienna Market Authority confirmed this unprecedented number of bottles being withdrawn.
Coca-Cola HBC Austria has advised consumers not to consume any potentially impacted products, citing health risks. “We advise against consuming the potentially affected products due to a possible health risk. This is a precautionary measure in close cooperation with the Austrian authorities,” the company stated. Other packaging sizes and products under the Coca-Cola umbrella are not part of this recall.
As the recall in Austria unfolds, concerns have grown about the distribution of these bottles in Germany. Reports confirm that some bottles from the problematic batch were circulated in the German market, leading to warnings for consumers and retailers to remain vigilant. Coca-Cola HBC Austria reiterated its caution: “We advise against the consumption of these products.”
The affected half-liter PET bottles cannot be reused and will be destroyed, following standard practices for recyclable, disposable containers. The fate of the recalled products underscores the scale of this recall, marking a significant disruption for Coca-Cola's supply chain in the region.
Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola's CEO, James Quincey, expressed optimism about the company's long-term resilience. “Our business continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of a dynamic external environment,” Quincey said, emphasizing the company’s efforts to balance immediate challenges while focusing on growth.
Coca-Cola HBC Austria expressed regret for the situation and apologized for any inconvenience caused to consumers. The company’s collaboration with health authorities aims to ensure consumer safety, with all affected products being systematically removed from shelves in both Austria and Germany.
As the recall process continues, consumers are urged to check the expiration dates and labels of their products and avoid consumption if they match the affected batches.
This recall comes at a time when The Coca-Cola Company has been navigating a volatile market. The company recently reported a 1% drop in Q3 2024 net revenues, bringing in USD 11.9 billion. Operating margins fell to 21.2% compared to 27.4% in the same period last year, and earnings per share decreased by 7% to USD 0.66. Markets such as Turkey, China, and Mexico have faced slowdowns, while growth was seen in regions like the Philippines, Brazil, and Japan.
