adminIn a statement yesterday, the company’s public affairs and communication manager, Sherree Shereni, said Coca-Cola was recognised as a non-alcoholic beverage and did not add alcohol as an ingredient.
“Trace levels of alcohol can occur naturally in many foods and beverages.
“Governments and religious organisations have recognised that such minute levels are considered acceptable in non-alcoholic foods and beverages.
“We want to assure all our valued consumers that The Coca-Cola Company’s products are safe and meet the safety requirements, laws and practices in every country
where our brands are sold,” he said.
A research by a France based organisation, National Institute of Consumption revealed that more than half of leading colas contain traces of alcohol.
These include the brand leaders Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, while it is mainly only cheap supermarket versions which are alcohol free.
The revelation had caused concern among those who chose the carbonated soft drink for religious, health or safety reasons.
The research suggested that the alcohol levels are as low as 10mg in every litre, and this works out around 0.001 percent alcohol.
But the figures will still be enough to upset the thousands of Moslems who regularly drink cola because their religion forbids them from drinking alcohol.
Coca Cola was invented in 1886 by the American John Pemberton and was originally patented as a medicine which could cure everything from headache to impotence.
Online Reporter