– We have spoiled labels, raw materials and bottles – E24

“We have been ruining labels, raw materials and bottles all day,” says communications manager Nicolay Bruusgaard at Ringnes.

On Saturday, December 12, it became known that the brewery had to withdraw up to 13 million glass bottles from the market, after flaws were discovered in some of the bottles.

In other words, it’s been chaos for Ringnes in recent days. Now, however, it seems that Christmas has been saved.

– Yesterday we produced 300,000 liters of Christmas soda and today we produce another 200,000 liters, says Bruusgaard.

Ringnes feared the worst when it appeared that 13 million glass bottles had to be recalled. Upon further investigation, the number was much lower: 4.5 million glass bottles have now been recalled.

– Deliver the glass bottles

Until Christmas Eve, half a million liters of Christmas soda will be delivered.

For those who have already stored Christmas sodas in glass bottles, Bruusgaard has a boring message.

– Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all glass bottles on the market are in order. Therefore, we encourage all customers to be safe and deliver the soft drink they have at home to the point of sale. Then they will get the money back, he says.

– If someone still decides to keep the purchased soda, it is important that adults lift the spout of the bottle and check it well for injuries before someone drinks from them, says Bruusgaard.

The emergency area with soft drinks comes in plastic bottles, as there are no more glass bottles available.

Thousands of liters of Christmas soda down the drain

The products being recalled are Dahl’s Christmas Soda, Dahl’s Light Christmas Soda, Hamar & Lillehammer Christmas Soda, Hamar & Lillehammer Christmas Soda, Mozell Eplemost and Tou Eplemost.

Bruusgaard states that 13 customers discovered a defect in the bottle’s spout, but that there are probably many more bottles that contain defects.

– What about the bottles to be destroyed?

– Now we must put all the bottles in first and then there will probably be a few rounds with the bottle manufacturer and the insurance company. It’s in everyone’s interest to get to the bottom of what really happened to the glass bottles, says Bruusgaard.

– After this, the bottles need to be destroyed and then, unfortunately, the soda goes to the drain. As long as you don’t know that all bottles are one hundred percent safe to drink, we can’t give them away sadly either, he says.