Scientific research published in France reveals that Pepsi and Coca-Cola contain tiny traces of alcohol. The tests were conducted by the Paris-based National Institute of Consumption (INC). The studies reveal that half of the leading colas contain the traces of alcohol. This includes the brand leaders of Pepsi Cola and Coca-Cola. The study said that cheap supermarket versions of the drink are free of alcohol.
The results of the tests were published in the French magazine known as ‘60 Million Consumers.’ The study said that the levels of alcohol are as low as 10mg in every litre, which comes out to about 0.001 percent of alcohol. Despite the numbers being so low, thousands of Muslims will be upset at the findings. Muslims drink Cola because their religion does not allow them to drink alcohol.
People who are teetotal and drink Cola on a regular basis will worry along with people who drink the beverage while driving instead of alcohol. There were 19 colas tested in the study. Nine of the 19 tested did not contain any alcohol and were manufactured by brands that included Cora, Leader Price, Casino, Auchan and Man U-Cola. Ten colas that had traces of alcohol in them included the following: Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola, Coke Zero and Coca-Cola Classic Light.
The scientific director for Coca-Cola France, Michel Pepin, said that ‘It is possible that traces of alcohol come from the process’ of producing Coca-Cola according to its secret recipe. Pepin said that Coca-Cola drinks were ‘provably soft’ and have been recognized as such ‘by the government authorities in which they are sold.’
Pepin went on to say the following, ‘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.’
A Pepsi spokesman said that ‘some soft drinks can contain minute traces of alcohol because of the ingredients used even though the Pepsi Cola recipe does not contain alcohol.’ Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola said that natural fruit can produce tiny traces of alcohol when they ferment. American John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886. It was patented originally as a medicine that could cure anything from impotence to a headache. Coca-Cola dominated the markets internationally and is sold in over 200 countries now. Caffeine is the main stimulant in the drink, which has 10 teaspoons of sugar in it as well. The drink has been associated with health problems such as obesity over the past decade or so.