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January 30, 2009
CONSUMER E-MAIL: Coca-Cola
Dear Coke,
First of all, I want to say that I don't actually drink Coke anymore. I was, though, for many years, a loyal customer, consuming two, three, even four Cokes in a single day. You're welcome.
Recently I read that your product may contain trace amounts of mercury. While many people are concerned because mercury is a known neurotoxin, I was wondering if there is any upside. For instance, I hear it's good for making hats. Maybe you could mention this in your advertising?
Can't beat the real thing!
always,
Tom
[CLICK 'CONTINUED' FOR REPLY]
Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Bartlett. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Testing done on foods and beverages was done on a single sample of each brand. While mercury was initially found at a detectable limit in two of our beverages, the levels reported in our products are not a health concern. The level found in Minute Maid Berry Punch, for example, was 0.04 parts per billion which can be compared to the guideline value of mercury in drinking water of 6 parts per billion established by the World Health Organization and the MCLG of 2 parts per billion established by the US EPA.
The report of the finding of mercury in the two samples should be considered to be suspect because only a single sample of each product was analyzed and the reported results are very close to the limit of detection of the analytical method. At these low levels, issues with contamination and false positives are a common problem.
The reported levels are approximately 40 times less than the level of mercury permitted in common drinking water by US EPA.
The Coca-Cola Company has an uncompromising commitment to product safety and quality. In all countries in which we operate, we adhere to local government safety regulations and our own rigorous quality control standards.
We use sophisticated analytical testing methods to ensure the purity and safety of ingredients used in our products. All of our suppliers are monitored to ensure that their operations meet our strict quality standards.
We are confident that when you purchase a product from The Coca-Cola Company, you are buying a safe and wholesome beverage.
The Corn Refiners Association said in its statement responding to the reports, "This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance. Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. These mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances. For more than 150 years, corn wet millers have been perfecting the process of refining corn to make safe ingredients for the American food supply."
If you have any additional comments, please feel free to contact us again.
Jeffrey
Industry and Consumer Affairs
The Coca-Cola Company
Posted by teb at January 30, 2009 10:07 AM