CAP Urges MOH to Test Coca-Cola Products Over Chlorate Concerns

Lai Cheng February 8, 2025 0 Comments

 

Pic via The Guardian

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Ministry of Health (MOH) to test Coca-Cola products in Malaysia for chlorate contamination. Until the results are available, MOH should suspend the sale of these products. Presently Coca-Cola Malaysia manufactures, markets, and distributes over 80 products.

This call comes in response to Coca-Cola’s recall across Europe due to elevated chlorate levels. Chlorate, a by-product of chlorine sanitizers used in water treatment, can cause health issues such as iodine deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and reduced red blood cell counts, particularly in infants, children, and pregnant women.

Beyond chlorate contamination, sugary drinks pose significant health risks, contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Malaysia has one of the highest obesity rates in Southeast Asia, with the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 reporting that 54.4% of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese – up from 44.5% in 2011. Alarmingly, 29.8% of children (aged 5-17) are overweight (15.0%) or obese (14.8%).

Obesity is linked to over 200 chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer. It also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by sevenfold in men and twelvefold in women.

In light of the European recall, CAP calls on MOH to:

  • Test Coca-Cola products in Malaysia for chlorate contamination.
  • Recall affected Coca-Cola products from the market.

Meanwhile, consumers are urged to avoid sugary drinks, as they do more harm than good.

 

 

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang

Press Statement, 8 February 2025