Why is chlorate in soft drinks dangerous?

Chlorate in soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fuze Tea and Minute Maid can be dangerous because it is a harmful chemical that can have negative effects on health, especially with prolonged or high exposure.

Chlorate (ClO₃⁻) is a by-product that can be created during the disinfection of drinking water with chlorine, and can end up in soft drinks via water used for production. Chlorate can block the uptake of iodine in the thyroid gland.

This is problematic because iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for growth, metabolism and cognitive functions. High-risk groups such as children, pregnant women and people with iodine deficiency can be particularly affected.

High concentrations of chlorate can damage red blood cells through oxidative stress, which can lead to reduced oxygen transport in the body. In extreme cases, this can cause haemolytic anaemia. Long-term exposure to low doses of chlorate can lead to chronic health problems, although this mainly depends on the concentration and duration of exposure.

In the European Union, there are strict limits on the presence of chlorate in drinking water and foodstuffs, including soft drinks. The goal is to minimize exposure via food and water. Too high a concentration of chlorate in soft drinks may indicate insufficient control of the production process.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-01-27 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025