Chávez bans sale of Coke Zero in Venezuela

Source: The Guardian

Coke Zero has been successful around the world but in Venezuela the brand name has proved a fateful prediction of its commercial prospects.

The government of President Hugo Chávez has banned the sale of the calorie-free soft drink over health concerns, prompting a scramble to remove it from shelves and vending machines.

"The product should be withdrawn from circulation to preserve the health of Venezuelans," said Jesus Mantilla, the health minister. He did not specify the dangers.

The soft drinks manufacturer said it would comply but defended the drink as a safe product sold in over 50 countries. "Coca Cola Zero is made under the highest quality standards around the world and meets the sanitary requirements demanded by the laws of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela."

Coke Zero, a variation of Diet Coke aimed at young men, was launched in Venezuela in April with the aim of doubling Coca-Cola's share of the low-calorie soft drinks market. On sale in Europe since 2007, the brand was promoted in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace to imbue a macho edge.

Venezuelan authorities turned out to be edgier. They ordered an immediate halt to production pending an investigation into "ingredients that could be harmful for the individual". Calls to the health ministry seeking elaboration were not returned....


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/11/venezuela-coke-zero-hugo-chavez

---

My favorite version of Coke. Soon to be followed by a plant seizure I am sure.

It tastes worse than Diet Coke, afaic. And that's bad.

Hate diet coke. Actually, Cherry Coke Zero is my favorite.

Does Coke Zero have the same nasty aftertaste for you that it does for me? That's what I hate.
Now Diet Coke also has a nasty aftertaste, but it is different from Zero's...

Changed from regular Coke, lost 15lbs in a week! Of course, fell off the wagon and drink both now. I, too, hate diet Coke,; horrible after taste, not so with Coke Zero. It is even better than the one that came before it.

but I can't find it anymore.

you can almost taste the rum in it ;)

Little vanilla vodka, little coke. Voila.

Q3JR4.

:beer:

For some reason, I prefer the Diet Caffeine-Free Coke over either Diet or Zero.

Nothing like most diet sodas I had before...

Its the only Aspartame sweetened drink I like

Totally different chemistry. Sucralose is classified as an organochloride. It's made from sucrose (sugar) by substituting two chlorine atoms for two of the OH (hydroxyl) groups on the sugar molecule.

The chlorine is bound tightly, and the molecule is stable across a range of pH values and is also stable when cooked. Our bodies lack enzymes to break sucralose down and use it as a fuel, so for us, it is a "zero calorie" substance. It does not promote dental cavities and is safe for consumption by diabetics.

Moderate consumption appears to carry few risks.

You don't ban Coke Zero without banning Cherry Root Beer too! Think about the public good for once Chavez!

Venezuela says banned Coca-Cola Zero because company didn't declare sweetener
Provided by: Associated Press
Written by: Fabiola Sanchez, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jun. 12, 2009


CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela's Health Ministry said Friday it banned sales of Coca-Cola Zero because the company failed to declare that the no-calorie soft drink uses an artificial sweetener allegedly harmful to health.

Health officials said tests show the cola contains sodium cyclamate. Coca-Cola Co. disputes that, saying the product sold in Venezuela uses different artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame-K and Aspartame.

Cyclamate is not prohibited in Venezuela. But the ministry said the company failed to report sodium cyclamate as an ingredient in Coca-Cola Zero when it received its initial health permit to begin selling the drink in April.

Coca-Cola is "failing to comply with sanitary norms," the ministry said in a statement published in the newspaper Ultimas Noticias. The ministry urged Venezuelans to refrain from trying the drink, saying it is "considered harmful to the health."

The U.S. prohibits the use of cyclamates in human food because of health safety concerns. Sales of Coca-Cola Zero elsewhere in Latin America have met with resistance over the use of cyclamate.

More:
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=28265&rss=67&rid=999999&news_channel_id=131&channel_id=131&rot=3

The drink of the capitalist elite!

Pepsi is the People's Soda!

:rofl:

:shrug:

from the tyranny of imperialist american beverages!

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Murderous fucks.

Wanker.

I can no longer support the fascist communist totalitarian muslim terrorist atheist fundamentalist gay socialist agenda of the Chavez dictato-ship. That boat has sailed without my broken camel poking its nose in the punchbowl.

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

:cry:

and the oppressive cola lobby :eyes: :crazy:

with death squads in Colombia.

A TON of DU'ers and people all over the world are keenly aware of this filthy practise of murdering union workers who dare to challenge Coke's intention of exploiting their labor for slave wages.

Don't embarrass yourself. Spend your time becoming informed on the subjects you're atempting to discuss FIRST. Have the decency to speak in relationship to the facts.

of the blind taste tests from years ago. Did D taste better than A? :rofl:

If that were true, then why hasn't Dear Leader banned ALL Coca Cola products?

Is he starting on Coke Zero, hoping they get the hint and just close up shop?

Maybe you shouldn't embarrass YOURSELF by retrofitting flaccid excuses for Chavez demagoguery.

Everyone knows that the punishment for backing death squads in Colombia is having Venezuela ban one of your products. You can still sell mulitple other brands, but you're going to lose one stream of revenue...damn death squad backers at Coca Cola

:rofl:

All their other products are certified deathsquad-free.

Absurd.

coke products. But what the hell is accomplished by banning coke Zero, and only coke zero?


I wonder what the health concern is that is at base of this? I would be curious if it is legit or an excuse, and what is at the heart of it. This seems weird.

Venezuela says banned Coca-Cola Zero because company didn't declare sweetener
Provided by: Associated Press
Written by: Fabiola Sanchez, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jun. 12, 2009


CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela's Health Ministry said Friday it banned sales of Coca-Cola Zero because the company failed to declare that the no-calorie soft drink uses an artificial sweetener allegedly harmful to health.

Health officials said tests show the cola contains sodium cyclamate. Coca-Cola Co. disputes that, saying the product sold in Venezuela uses different artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame-K and Aspartame.

Cyclamate is not prohibited in Venezuela. But the ministry said the company failed to report sodium cyclamate as an ingredient in Coca-Cola Zero when it received its initial health permit to begin selling the drink in April.

Coca-Cola is "failing to comply with sanitary norms," the ministry said in a statement published in the newspaper Ultimas Noticias. The ministry urged Venezuelans to refrain from trying the drink, saying it is "considered harmful to the health."

The U.S. prohibits the use of cyclamates in human food because of health safety concerns. Sales of Coca-Cola Zero elsewhere in Latin America have met with resistance over the use of cyclamate.

http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=28265&rss=67&rid=999999&news_channel_id=131&channel_id=131&rot=3

It's made from corn, doesn't have artificial ingredients, and like sugar it's fine in moderation.

Get the facts, you're in for a sweet suprise.

:sarcasm:

I don't drink any artifical sweeteners, and try to not eat or drink HFCS.

I was joking. I was reciting those HFCS commercials word for word that basically say HFCS isn't bad and I'm well aware that Coke as well as many soft drinks are made with HFCS.

I saw you mentioned HFCS and I was jokingly repeating the lines. I take it you haven't seen those commercials. I added the sarcasm tag to show that I wasn't being serious in saying HFCS isn't really bad for you. I apologize for coming across as hostile. :hi:

..that stuff tastes like hell in a can.

Coke Zero Ingredients
Coke's marketing people talk about "zero consequences", but can they promise Coke Zero's ingredients are without consequences?

The ingredients (as written in bold) are listed on Australian cans of Coke Zero. Water anyone?

Carbonated water
Colour (150d) - aka "Sulphite Ammonia Caramel"
Food acid 338 - aka "Phosphoric Acid" (Also used for rust removal!)
Food acid 331 - aka "Sodium Citrates" (Also used in photography and as an anticoagulant of blood stored for transfusion!)
Flavour
Sweetener 951 - aka "Asapartame" (According to the US FDA, "the currently is studying aspartame and other dietary factors as part of a larger study of adult brain cancer." You might want to wait for the results before you drink it. Also, avoid this one if you're moody!)
Sweetener 950 - aka "Acesulfame Potassium" (Looking for reasons to avoid this sweetener? Look no further...)
Preservative 211 - aka "Sodium Benzoate" (Undiluted this stuff isn't too bad... Just don't let it touch your skin!)
Caffeine

http://www.thezeromovement.org/coke_zero_ingredients.html

I was about to research and post the same.
Aspertame is industrial waste, better for rat poison, except D Rumsfeld slipped it through the FDA.
Tap water,Tap water,Tap water,Tap water,Tap water

http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/antpoison.asp

There are plenty of others. Just type aspartame in the search box.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

Oh well - for a real funny ask for artificial sweetener anywhere in Europe.

Good ol' Chavez, noble protector of his oppressed people. Brings a tear to my eye. :eyes:

The brand names are different (Canderel is a common one, as is Assugrin -- Diet Coke and other diet sodas are ubiquitous) but they're totally available.

In America this would be unconstitutional.

Coke is a horrible company. Its amazing to me that so many "progressives" would support it.

A HEAVY tax on all junk food and junk drinks should be an integral part of the National Health Care Plan!!!

Anything with "high fructose corn syrup" or various carcinogenic chemicals -- gets taxed at 150% as a blight on civilization!

Viva Chavez!

Viva Bolivarismo!

Viva Socialismo!

Viva Sanity!!!!

Raise taxes by 1000% on liquor!

From your lips to Dog's ears...

I of course see no horrific unforeseen consequences.

I imagine that there will be very few billion-dollar, black market cartels importing Coke Zero in VZ, resulting in your implied consequences.

In addition to the weight training and stretching, of course. ;)

I'm not sure why you only want to ban liquor and junk food, btw. Do you realize how much harm comes from eating meat, baked goods, and desserts?

BANISH THE EVIL!

:patriot:


lol

:kick: :applause:

Hey,

I´m in Venezuela visiting my inlaws. I bought coke zero this morning to go with our lunch from a Chinese restaurant...it´s ironic that coke zero is unhealthy...every morning you can drive down the streets here and see many men drinking beer..any hour...morning, noon, night...doesn´t matter..always drinking beer.

We rarely get posters who are actually in Venezuela so we'd appreciate 1st hand accounts.

Artificially colored, sweetened, chemically injected fizzy water has none!

Rarely here of Coke related battery.

All of the drunk driving fatalities and other problems that arise from the consumption of alcohol. If "health" concerns are the reason for the banning, I'm guessing Venezuela should have started somewhere else.

. . Coke Zero's obnoxious, unfunny ad campaign featuring the two non-amusing dorks who are supposedly "Coke brand managers" fighting against Coke Zero because it "infringes" on the original's taste. Stupid premise, unfunny writing and acting, shown nonstop during sporting events, and now it's (in my theory) gotten them banned in Venezuela. Horrors!!!
:D

from that sold in North America in two regards:

1.) North America version has Potassium added, while South America has Sodium instead.

2.) North America version uses Caramel food coloring, while South America uses E150d.

E150d is a caramel-colored food coloring, but has sulfites in it.

It could be that they are railing against sulfites in Coke Zero in South America.

that is what makes it especially strange.

If something were banned in the US, would it be Obama's fault? Get a fucking grip, people. Everything that goes on in Venezuela is not the president's doing.

...furthermore, I am curious to see what the reasons were. I hope they're clear on why they're doing it. I mean, are there really ingredients that are more harmful than those found in normal diet cola?

I wish they were more specific about the Health risk. I don't think the health ministry would just ban one coke product arbitrarily or for political reasons. Their may be some truth to the health risk that they discovered. I just wish I knew what the specific risk was.

whether the coke zero distributed in Venezuela is the same coke zero distributed in the US. That might be an important piece of information in this situation.

Old recipe my grampa taught me. Coke and kitty litter. Cover the Oil spot with kitty litter, add 2 liter bottle of coke. wait 2-4 hours then sweep up. oil spot is gone.

When your child looses a tooth, drop the tooth in a glass of coke for the night. it will be gone in the morning and psttt... the tooth fairy didn't come and take it.

smh