>>> May 23, 2002

Not-so-new Coke

Employees of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas have turned to radio shows and public protests with claims that expired bottles and cans of Coke have been passed off as the real thing for nearly a decade to unsuspecting minorities. According to company drivers, plant workers and salespeople, old, unsold products from white neighbourhoods had their expiry dates removed and were repackaged in boxes with current dates. The sodas were then distributed to outlets in predominantly black areas of Dallas and Fort Worth.

A spokesman for the North Texas plant has called the accusations “totally without merit,” citing the company’s dedication to ensuring only the freshest sodas get sold. Higher up the ladder, John H. Downs of Coca-Cola Enterprises says Coke does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and if the North Texas plant violated policy, “they will be held accountable and we will take appropriate and swift action.” :

—Scott Saxon