Venezuela bans line of Coca-Cola

Here’s a reversal: A business opportunity has opened up for smugglers interested in getting Coke into a South American country.

But we’re not talking cocaine – it’s Coke Zero that has been banned in Venezuela.

The official reason, according to the Venezuelan government’s news agency, is that health minister Jesus Mantilla contends the no-calorie beverage, known officially as Coca-Cola Zero, contains a harmful ingredient. The Coca-Cola Co. rolled out the drink in 2005 and introduced it in Venezuela in April.

“The product should be withdrawn from circulation to preserve the health of Venezuelans,” Mantilla said Wednesday.

In ordering all Coke Zero out of the country, Mantilla didn’t specify which ingredient was objectionable.

Coca-Cola’s Venezuelan operation put out a statement saying Coke Zero “doesn’t have any components that can be harmful to people’s health” but began pulling the drinks Thursday.

Coke Zero is bottled by Coca-Cola Femsa, which is based in Mexico.