Coke and Pepsi contain tiny traces of alcohol, reveals French research | Mail Online

Page 1 of 6

No wonder so many people like it! Coke and

Pepsi contain ALCOHOL, reveals French
research

Tests reveal more than half of leading colas contain minute traces of alcohol

By Peter Allen
PUBLISHED: 12:33, 27 June 2012 | UPDATED: 15:11, 27 June 2012

Coca-Cola and Pepsi contain minute traces of alcohol, scientific research published in France has revealed.
The revelation will cause concern among those who chose the carbonated soft drink for religious, health or
safety reasons.
According to tests carried out by the Paris-based National Institute of Consumption (INC) more than half of
leading colas contain the traces of alcohol.

Can't beat the real thing: The revelation will cause concern among those who chose the carbonated soft drink for religious, health or
safety reasons

These include the brand leaders Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, while it is mainly only cheap supermarket
versions of the drink which are alcohol-free.
60 Million Consumers, the French magazine, publishes the results of the tests in its latest issue.
They suggest that the alcohol levels are as low as 10mg in every litre, and this works out at around 0.001 per
cent alcohol.
But the figures will still be enough to upset the thousands of Muslims who regularly drink Cola because their
religion forbids them from drinking alcohol.
Those who are teetotal and drink Coke regularly will also be worried, as will those who choose it as an
alternative to alcohol when they are driving.
Of 19 colas tested, the nine which did not contain alcohol were made by brands including Auchan, Cora,
Casino, Leader Price and Man U-Cola.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165422/Coke-Pepsi-contain-tiny-traces-alcohol-reveal... 02/07/2012

Coke and Pepsi contain tiny traces of alcohol, reveals French research | Mail Online

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Muslims praying at the Paris great Mosque: Many people regularly drink Cola because their religion forbids them from drinking
alcohol

Ten which had traces of alcohol in them included Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light and Coke
Zero.
Michel Pepin, scientific director for Coca-Cola France, said: It is possible that traces of alcohol come from the
process of making Coca Cola according to its secret recipe.
He insisted, however, that Coca-Cola drinks were provably soft and recognised as such by the government
authorities in which they are sold.
Mr Pepin added: Furthermore, the Paris Mosque has provided us with a certificate stating that our products
can be consumed by the Muslim community in line with the religious opinions of the Committee of the Mosque
of Paris.

Not the only pick me up: Caffeine is widely considered to be the main stimulus contained in cola, as well as sugar

A spokesman for Pepsi acknowledged that some soft drinks can contain minute traces of alcohol because of
the ingredients used, although the Pepsi Cola recipe does not contain alcohol .
Both companies suggested that natural fruit can ferment and produce minute traces of alcohol.
Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by the American John Pemberton and was originally patented as a medicine
which could cure everything from headache to impotence.
It went on to dominate the international soft drinks market and is now a US icon sold in more than 200
countries.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165422/Coke-Pepsi-contain-tiny-traces-alcohol-reveal... 02/07/2012

Coke and Pepsi contain tiny traces of alcohol, reveals French research | Mail Online

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However, caffeine is widely considered to be the main stimulant contained in the drink, along with vast
amounts of sugar which have come to associate it with a range of health problems including obesity.
Every can of Coke contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar.

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Comments (133)

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"...will also be worried, as will those who choose it as an alternative to alcohol when they are driving" at 0.001% alcohol, you need to
drink 5000 litres to drink as, much alcohol as one pint of beer. The sugar, caffeine and sheer volume of liquid will become a problem
far quicker than the alcohol content
- Dan, Campbell, CA, USA, 29/6/2012 23:26
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Rating 38

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Could this be just another ploy by government of America to push for a total ban on soft drinks that they are having trouble
convincing us it is good for us. Now they can use achohol as the excuse. We are on a downward spiral with this government taking
over our lives completely. How I long for the country of 20 years ago.
- FedUp, Auburn, 29/6/2012 12:26
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Rating 19

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They're worried about a tiny bit of alcohol? There's probably that amount of rat fecal matter too.
- Real Rick, USA!, 29/6/2012 08:19

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2165422/Coke-Pepsi-contain-tiny-traces-alcohol-reveal... 02/07/2012

Coke and Pepsi contain tiny traces of alcohol, reveals French research | Mail Online
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Rating 70

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So what are the health implications of such an insignificant amount of alcohol, particularly in mind that there's more naturally
occurring alcohol in a glass of orange juice?
- Kelt, Detroit, USA, 29/6/2012 06:13
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Rating 57

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Jason, there are 196 countries in the UN. There are by some accounts 209 state entities that govern as countries.
- Iben Hadd, Vienna, VA USA, 29/6/2012 05:28
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Rating 3

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I know many french scientists, rich ones naturally, they all agree that the best way to get drunk is to own a winery or brewery of your
own. Far better than the poor people of the world who digest so much Cocacola for a quick hit!
- Mittens Romney, Belmont Massachusetts, 29/6/2012 04:32
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Rating 24

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you've GOT to be kidding casie...even in Ct people aren't that naive
- Rob, Ny, Ny Usa, 29/6/2012 03:09
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Rating 4

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If this is true, then I'm an alcoholic! I've been an avid cola drinker all my life and don't believe that I've ever gone a day without 3-4
bottles or cans.
- Rockmelon, Maryland USA, 29/6/2012 01:49
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Rating 6

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HOGWASH
- Kala, Irvine, CA, 29/6/2012 00:57
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Rating 35

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"However, caffeine is widely considered to be the main stimulant contained in the drink, along with vast amounts of sugar which
have come to associate it with a range of health problems including obesity." UNTRUE!!! It does, however, have vast amounts of
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP which is the true defining component to obesity, hyper-tension, ADD/ADHD (and other
cognitive/associative disorders), Stage II Diabetes, etc. It is also my (unproven) belief that the increased annual ingestion of HFCS
has created the current generation of narcissistic burn-outs that we have been watching destroy the trapping of civilization for the
past 10 years. note: HFCS is a refined glucose molecule derived from corn. The problem arises from the refining process, as the
molecule generated does not combine with human biochemistry in the same manner as cane or beet sugar. Excess sugar ingestion
has been proven to "burn" brain cells causing slow degeneration of all brain functions.
- queenwemo, USA, 28/6/2012 22:21
Click to rate

Rating 25

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Coke and Pepsi contain tiny traces of alcohol, reveals French research | Mail Online

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