Venezuela bans Coca-Cola Zero over 'health threat'

The ministry's inspectors visited a Ñoca-Cola factory on Wednesday and discovered a "harmful ingredient" in the Coke Zero drink. Media reports did not specify the health threat posed by product. Health Minister Jesus Mantilla has ordered the drink to be removed from Venezuela's stores saying: "The product should be withdrawn from circulation to preserve the health of Venezuelans." The U.S.-based Coca-Cola company issued a statement denying the accusations: "Coke Zero is made under the highest quality standards and meets the sanitary requirements demanded by the laws of Venezuela." The Coca-Cola Zero brand was launched in 2004; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.