ALBAWABA - An allegation was made on social media claiming that Coca-Cola company, which is facing a harsh boycott campaign, is using twisted methods to survive sales amid the decrease.
Since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip in October, a boycott campaign was launched by pro-Palestinian activists to stop the purchase of items and brands that are linked to Israel in one way or another.
The boycott included very famous brands and food chain companies such as McDonald's, Starbucks, HP, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Adidas and dozens more.
A claim was made online allegedly saying that Coca-Cola is deceiving customers by changing the outside shape of its cans as well as the name and selling it in markets to avoid the negative impact of the boycott.
What's the truth?
According to social media claims, Coca-Cola owns also Palestine cola as well as other brands including Qibla cola and Mecca cola. However, the allegation is baseless. AFP journalists have investigated the allegation and confirmed that it is fake news.
For instance, Palestine Cola is a soft drink belonging to the "Safad Foodstuff Company," which has no connection to other soft drink producers [Coca-Cola], according to the official website. The owners of the company are two Palestinian-origin brothers who live in Sweden.
As for Qibla cola, it is a soft drink launched in 2003 by a British company in Derby targeting the Muslim community, in an attempt to confront the American monopoly on soft drinks.
