Coca-Cola's bottling partner announced a recall of select drinks in the UK due to the potential presence of high levels of chlorate. The company also carried out similar recalls earlier this week in several European countries.

A "small number" of Coca-Cola and Appletiser products have been recalled in the UK due to potential contamination with high levels of a chemical called chlorate.

The recall specifically affects 330 ml cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, and Sprite Zero, which were distributed exclusively to restaurants and cafes, as well as multipacks containing six 250 ml cans of Appletiser, a sparkling apple juice.

Coca-Cola’s bottling partner confirmed on Wednesday that standard-size cans, along with all glass and plastic bottles sold in the UK, are not impacted by this recall.

The company emphasized that this recall is a precautionary measure, stating that potentially high levels of chlorate "pose a low food safety concern, especially when consumed only occasionally." However, the company also warned that individuals who are sensitive to chlorate, particularly young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as thyroid or kidney diseases, could experience adverse health effects.

This recall follows a similar action earlier this week, when Coca-Cola recalled batches of Cola-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid, and Fuze Tea in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The recall in these countries was prompted after higher-than-usual levels of chlorate were detected at a production plant in Belgium.

Health authorities in Denmark, Portugal, and Romania were also alerted by the European Union’s rapid alert system to investigate whether store shelves or vending machines in those countries had been stocked with potentially contaminated soft drinks.