An accelerated investigation by all relevant authorities increasingly indicates that the beverage manufacturer, Coca-Cola HBC Croatia, has no connection to the poisoning case that occurred in Rijeka.
– After comprehensive analyses of several of our products, the Ministry of the Interior reported today that one isolated incident has been identified in Rijeka related to a bottle of Romerquelle Emotion Blueberry Pomengranate – states the latest press release from Coca-Cola HBC Croatia.
– We welcome the clarity that the investigation results will bring to our consumers and customers after the uncertainties of the previous days, and our thoughts remain with the person affected by the incident.
In the interest of public safety, our priority in recent days has been to provide the authorities with the necessary time to complete their analyses, and we will continue to support the police with full transparency as they work on the incident in Rijeka.
We have been operating in Croatia for over 55 years and have always maintained the highest quality standards. We value the long-standing relationships we have with our consumers and customers and sincerely thank them for their support and patience during this exceptionally challenging time” – states the press release.
Beroš: It is a mistake
Earlier, Health Minister Vili Beroš held a press conference where he commented on the findings. – It seems that there is only one proven case. It is a washing or degreasing agent. This concentration of alkaline substance would cause damage as in Rijeka, it could not be milder. This in Rijeka can be viewed as sabotage or an unintentional mistake. Therefore, part of the affected came due to panic or other reasons – said Beroš.
He added that none of the reported cases match the one in Rijeka. – It is indisputable that a certain mistake occurred. How it happened is hard to say”, he added.
“Of the 45 people who sought examination, only four had changes in the mucous membrane, which may or may not be related to the concentration of the alkaline substance – said Beroš. For the patient from Zagreb, Beroš said he has a disease whose symptoms may coincide.
Beroš says it could be a mistake or sabotage. – It is indisputable that a mistake occurred. How it happened is hard to say”, he said. “We can assume that it was a mistake like those that have occurred before – he said.
Analysis determined that it is lye
Namely, as stated in the announcement from the Police Administration of Primorje-Gorski Kotar, the Center for Forensic Testing and Expertise “Ivan Vučetić” conducted examinations of disputed and undisputed samples that were submitted to it based on the order of the Municipal State Attorney’s Office in Rijeka.
– The results of the examination of the liquid from the glass consumed by the affected person match in physical-chemical properties with the liquid from the bottle of non-alcoholic beverage with flavor that was served to him, while the analysis determined that it is a highly alkaline aqueous solution (pH=13.6).
Based on the established chemical composition, it can be concluded that it is some kind of washing and/or degreasing agent. Furthermore, in 20 undisputed glass bottles of the same beverage received in original packaging, it was determined that they contain clear liquids with a pH of 3.5, which corresponds to the pH values of such types of beverages.
Regarding the first reported event in the Zagreb Police Administration on November 7, the examination of the liquid from the plastic bottle of non-alcoholic beverage has also been completed, and it was determined that the liquid from the bottle has a pH of 2.59, which is also typical for this type of beverage, and no compounds that would be unusual for this type of beverage were detected in the liquid – announced the police.
