Should Coke apologize formally (and on National TV / news agency) for tainted Kinley water in Afghanistan?

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:36:07 -0400

Coke brand Kinley bottled water (bottled in Kabul), has yet again come up as a potential health risk and certain batches have been identified by Preventive Medicine as not consumable (this water is mostly served throughout RC East) - this is second time in recent months that this has happened. Side effects: severely upset stomach, and explosive diarrhea. Coke published a statement to a local Atlanta news channel back in July, as an "apology" - http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/batch-bottle-water-tied-soldier-sickness-bottled-k/ngkG8/

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 12 at 2014 2:49 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:49:55 -0400

I remember the constant briefs in Iraq about "don't drink the blue capped water" followed by the "don't drink the white capped water bottles".......followed by the "It's safe to drink the blue capped water bottles. We had troops passing out in pain from kidney stones on several occasions.
I'm glad that Coke acknowledged the "inconvenience" but I'm not sure whose test results to trust anymore. I pray for the safety of our troops and now have to add safe water to the list. As if life wasn't hard enough for them already!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 11:15 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:15:43 -0500

A few guys in my platoon got sick from drinking it. I still don't see a need for an apology from Coke, unless they were intentionally hiding it. The only way they could ensure clean water, is not have Afghans bottle it. The cost of shipping from a foreign country, negates the gain... it's risk you deal with.