The image of Coca-Cola Vietnam, the local manufactures of icon US beverages Coca-Cola, has been shaken following the recent state inspection of its warehouse, which found a large volume of “expired” flavorings.
Local press reported that the “expired” ingredients include 13 additives totaling more than 12.9 tons.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, which launched the inspection, demanded the company to destroy all the out-of-date materials.
According to the company’s customs declarations, most of the materials and additives were imported from Australia, the US, Indonesia and the UK in 2003 and 2004.
Coca-Cola Vietnam later released a statement to play down public concern over the quality of energy drink Samurai, assuring all materials used were checked and caused no ill consequences to health.
Hoang Thi Chi, the national quality manager for Coca-Cola Vietnam, claimed that the producer used some Samurai flavorings “beyond their best before date”, not “of expiry date”. Yet, she noted that their usage did not violate hygiene and safety regulations.
She claimed Coca-Cola Vietnam had never used other “beyond their best before date” ingredients.
“Samurai is a special case. Because of our inadequate estimation, there was stockpile of flavorings,” Chi said.
The inspectors who uncovered the case were not available for comment.
The perished flavorings, Chi said, was stored alongside other materials with newer best before dates.
“Right after the inspection, Coca-Cola separated these perished flavorings and closely cooperated with competent bodies to destroy [the ingredients], in line with the regulation,” she added.
On July 17, 2006, under the watchful eye of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Green Environment and the Viet UC Environment Joint Stock companies destroyed the materials.
“Simultaneously, we have taken 100- per cent state, order and appearance [tests] (TOA) before manufacturing,” Chi said.
Last year, the beverage giant Coca-Cola Vietnam was also under inspection to see whether it used expired ingredients to produce its beverages or not. No result, however, was recorded after the inspection.
Coca Cola Vietnam has so far invested more than US$150 million in building three factories in the cities and provinces nationwide since 1994.
The state-of-the-art factories locate in Hanoi in the north, Danang city in the central, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south each.
VIR, Youth
Vietnamese
