Food Products 'Not Lower Quality' in Bulgaria, Eastern EU

Major food and drink multinationals have vehemently denied reports that products of lower quality are shipped to Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, under the same name, as alleged in a survey conducted by the Slovak Association of Consumers.

"We categorically reject all attempts to imply that the quality of Coca Cola in Bulgaria and the rest of the world differs," reads a statement of Coca Cola Bulgaria, circulated to the media.

According to the allegations against Coca Cola, tests have confirmed widely reported claims that versions of the soft drink sold in Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania contain isoglucose made of corn, which is much cheaper than the regular sugar (sacharose) added to the drink in Germany, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic.

"Our products are made to the same high quality across more than two hundred countries from around the world, based on the recipe we have been using for 125 years. For the production of the classic type of Coca Cola we use different types of sweetener in the different countries, but this has no impact on the quality of the product," says Evgenia Stoichkova, Market Operations Director for Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and Moldova.

The company claims that isoglucose is also used in United States and has been selected for the production process in Bulgaria as the raw material is purchased directly by the local producers.

Along with Coca Cola beverages, the products monitored by the Slovak Association of Consumers were Milka chocolate, black and red pepper from Kotanyi, Nescaf? Gold instant coffee, Jacobs Kronung grain coffee and Tchibo Espresso coffee.

They were all tested in laboratories accredited to the National Veterinary and Food Institute of Slovakia.

The quality of Nescaf? Gold has also been defended by the parent company Nestl?'s Sofia office.

"The recipe differs in European markets depending on consumer preferences that differ from market to market," according to a statement, circulated to the media.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!