Croatian Man Hospitalized After Cleaning Agent Found in Bottled Soft Drink; Coca Cola Products Cleared of Safety Concerns

Authorities declare the incident an "isolated case"; it is unclear how the alkaline substance ended up in the bottle, prompting wider investigation.

A man in Croatia was hospitalized after consuming a fizzy drink that contained traces of a highly alkaline cleaning agent. However, the source of this substance remains unclear.
Following the incident, dozens of people in Croatia reported similar health complaints, but authorities stated that no additional serious injuries were found.
The contaminated drink was initially reported to be Romerquelle Emotion Blueberry Pomegranate, a brand distributed by Coca-Cola. In response, Coca-Cola temporarily pulled various products from shelves and conducted a preliminary review, which found nothing unusual.
Subsequent tests on Coca-Cola products, including 20 unopened bottles of the same drink consumed by the hospitalized man, showed no anomalies. The Croatian authorities have declared Coca-Cola products safe, dispelling concerns about widespread contamination.
An ongoing criminal investigation aims to determine the circumstances leading to the contamination. Croatia's Health Minister, Vili Beros, suggested the contamination could either be an intentional act or an unintentional mistake.