Coronavirus Could Cause Coke Zero & Diet Coke Shortages

The US is likely to see shortages of Coca-Cola products as the coronavirus is disrupting its supply chain.

If the deadly virus continues to cause chaos, artificial sweeteners from China could be in short supply. Coke’s supply of sugar substitutes used for it’s diet alternatives has been delayed.

Despite these issues, Australia’s supply chain is not expected to be affected.

“We have initiated contingency supply plans and do not foresee a short-term impact due to these delays,” Coca-Cola wrote on Monday in its annual report.

“However, we may see tighter supplies of some of these ingredients in the longer term should production or export operations in China deteriorate.”

The drinks company uses sweeteners that contain aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate and steviol glycosides.

Coke said that the sugar alternative Splenda is a ‘critical raw material’ bought from the US and China.

It is not currently known which sweeteners were affected by the coronavirus.