Venezuela bans Coca-Cola Zero

Posted by Editorial on 12th June 2009

The Venezuelan Government has enforced a ban on Coca-Cola Zero products due to unspecified health concerns.

The Coca-Cola Company maintains the drink is safe but has complied with the Government’s request to halt production just two months after it first went on sale in the South American country.

Coca-Cola remains in discussions with Venezuela over the prospect of overturning the ban and said they were not informed of any specific concerns the Government may have with the drink or the American company.

The Venezuelan Government has not outlined any specific reasons for the ban with Health Minister Jesus Mantilla simply advising that the decision was made to “preserve the health of Venezuelans.” Some analysts have suggested the move could be one of defiance against capitalism by a nation whose leader (Hugo Chavez) is a vocal critic of globalisation.