Research by a French institute that Coca-Cola and Pepsi
contain traces of alcohol has raised concerns about health and
consumer issues worldwide.
According to scientific tests of 19 colas carried out by the Paris-
based National Institute of Consumption (INC), 10 had traces of
alcohol, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light
and Coke Zero.
The research suggested that the alcohol levels are as low as 10mg
in every litre, working out at around 0.001 per cent alcohol.
In the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority clarified late on
Thursday night that tests and analysis conducted Thursday on
random samples of soda drinks showed their consistency with UAE
standards and regulations, WAM reported.
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Effect on residents, patients
Speaking to Gulf News , Dr Hatem Soliman, Specialist Critical Care
Medicine at Al Zahra Private Hospital, Sharjah, said that if the
research is evidence-based and without bias, the compounds in the
colas with traces of alcohol will affect residents, especially patients.
“The concentration of alcohol, although very scanty, may interact
with a few medications — either increasing or decreasing the effect
of drugs taken like blood thinners, and a few antibiotics which may
alter the drug regimen and its effects. Moreover, the health hazards
of these sugary beverages impact the heath of diabetic patients, and
even in healthy people who are predisposed to obesity and
osteoporosis among other conditions,” he said. Gulf News spoke to
professionals in the health and fitness industry to gauge the impact
of such finding.
Allergies
Hussain Al Beshbeshy, Marketing Manager at Body Balancers, a
wellbeing, sports and physiotherapy centre in Dubai, said that clear
labelling of ingredients is necessary as a preventive measure. A
person with food allergies, for example, should be made aware that
a product could contain traces ingredients that could cause a
reaction.
“Alcohol is toxic; the label should mention that the cola contains
alcohol, specifying the percentage. So if a person knows he has a
medical condition, he can make an informed decision,” he said.
Phill Robson, a sports and fitness consultant and founder of Phill
Robson Sports and Fitness Academy in Dubai, said that most people
probably won’t be affected by trace amounts of alcohol. However,
the worry lies in the harmful effects of colas in general. People on
weight-loss programmes tend to drink diet colas, he explained.
These are harmful due to the sugar substitutes like aspartame that
can cause metabolic issues. “Colas are harmful anyway whether
they contain alcohol or not,” he said.
Take charge of your health
Jacques Caluwé Sr, a physiotherapist who treats and coaches top
athletes, and author of ‘Consciously working with your body’, said if
the research is true, it proves how big companies make money
without considering the health of the consumer. “Think about the
billions of children consuming colas without awareness and are
hooked on it. People should be conscious about their health and
take charge of it,” he said.
Dubai-based Saadia Asif, a Canadian banking professional who has
been drinkiing one of the colas for the past 30 years, said she
consumes at least two cans a day. When asked whether the
research will influence her consumption habit, she said it depends
on the quantity of alcohol. “If the percentage [of alcohol] doesn’t
impact normal functioning, then its presence is negligible. However,
I realise that colas with their high level of sugar and caffeine are bad
for health to begin with.”
Dave Shennan, a New Zealander working in the events industry in
Dubai, called for more transparency in food and beverage labelling.
He said that in his country, food labelling is mandatory. If colas have
ingredient labels, people who might be affected like those handling
heavy machinery or driving long routes, have the necessary
information before making a purchase.
Informed choice
“Once a consumer is aware, he can make an informed choice. Also
there is need for research to learn about the effects alcohol in
colas,” he said.
Emirati marketing professional Noora Al Fahim, who drinks a cola
every day, said she was shocked. Making a case for proper labelling,
she said: “The presence of any amount of alcohol should be
mentioned. Currently there is no transparency in the cola industry.”
Adding weight to the issue of transparency, Dubai-based Indian
training specialist Amalia Gomes said, “As a courtesy to those who
might be offended due to cultural reasons or affected due to
medical conditions, the label should clearly state it. Even if alcohol is
present in minuscule amounts, not mentioning it is unacceptable,
especially in an Islamic country.”
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