Coca-Cola Croatia: We are aware of an isolated case related to a single glass bottle of Romerquelle

We are aware of an isolated case related to a single glass bottle of Romerquelle Emotion Blueberry Pomegranate 330 ml. We express our deep concern and hope for a swift and complete recovery of the individual involved in this case. We are fully open to cooperating with all relevant authorities – stated Coca-Cola HBC Croatia in response, which is the company’s first reaction to the poisoning case that has been trending on social media since last night.

Recall that following a report from the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department regarding a case in which an individual fell ill while consuming a non-alcoholic beverage at one of the hospitality establishments in the center of Rijeka, the Sanitary Inspection has gone to the field and an inspection is underway, confirmed to Lider by the Police Department and the State Inspectorate.

From last night until this morning, social media has been ablaze, with the public wanting to know whether the beverages bottled at a well-known Croatian factory of a global brand were contaminated with acid after improper cleaning of the pipes, and whether this caused serious injuries to individuals who were hospitalized in restaurants in Istria and Rijeka.

According to the police statement, on November 4 of this year, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department received a report that an individual fell ill while consuming a non-alcoholic beverage at one of the hospitality establishments in the center of Rijeka and was transported to KBC Rijeka for appropriate medical assistance.

During the ongoing proceedings, police officers conducted an inspection, seized certain items, and interviewed several individuals. The police have informed the relevant state attorney’s office and the competent State Inspectorate of all findings so far for them to take measures within their jurisdiction. The determination of all relevant facts related to this event is ongoing. It is noted that, apart from this and one previous incident, no other similar incidents have been reported to the police so far, according to the police.

The Inspectorate reports that the Sanitary Inspection of the State Inspectorate immediately conducted an inspection within its jurisdiction upon receiving the notification from the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department, Ministry of the Interior. The inspection procedure is ongoing.

The editorial team of Lider is still waiting for official responses from the manufacturer. Since last night, several verbal and printed messages have been circulating that some individuals consumed mineral water from one manufacturer and were poisoned by acid that burned their esophagus. According to the same information, the police are investigating everything, the inspection is on the ground, and today the manufacturer is expected to make a public statement. The sources of the messages are people from the sanitary sector, employees of the company, the hospital… without names.

As reported by Fiuman.h, “it seems that at least one such new case has been recorded again in Rijeka these days, and disturbing warning messages that carbonated drinks and water from a popular manufacturer are poisoned have begun to spread massively on social media.”

One of the messages reads: “Team, inform your loved ones… Please pay attention to the following drinks when consuming in cafes or purchasing in stores… It is explicitly recommended not to drink the mentioned beverages if the bottle’s barcode starts with the number 385. There have been recorded cases of individuals ending up in the hospital with severe injuries to the esophagus and stomach. The cause is inadequately washed equipment in the factory, and residues of cleaning acids have not been completely removed. Everything will be officially announced tomorrow in the newspapers, and citizens will be informed.”

These are very serious accusations that, if untrue, could result in criminal charges against those who spread panic among the citizens. What is confusing is the fact that the manufacturer has not yet made an official statement, even though citizens are seeking responses on their social media pages. We will still see whether this is a failure in crisis communication or a production process in the factory. Lider is monitoring the situation and will inform you as soon as we learn the responses.

In the meantime, KBC Rijeka has informed Jutarnji that one person was admitted to the hospital under suspicion of chemical injury to the esophagus.

– Their medical condition is currently stable, and indicated diagnostic-therapeutic procedures are ongoing. Immediately upon admission to the institution and processing in the Unified Hospital Emergency Department prior to hospitalization, a report was made to the relevant investigative authorities of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department, which you can contact for any additional information – said KBC Rijeka.

As stated in social media posts, the injuries were caused by Römerquelle water, a brand of Coca-Cola Croatia, but these bottles are filled in Austria.

On the Coca-Cola Croatia website, it states: Römerquelle, natural mineral water is bottled at a source 250m deep, aged between 5000 and 7000 years, in the Austrian town of Edelstal in Burgenland. The Ministry of Health also notes, with the remark that they are not competent in this case, that this water is bottled in Austria and has been recognized by their competent authority.