Palestine Cola and Qibla Cola Owned by Coca-Cola?

Recently, a social media allegation claimed that the Coca-Cola Company, under boycott pressure, is using deceptive methods to sustain sales amidst declining numbers.

Following the start of the Gaza Strip conflict in October, pro-Palestinian activists initiated a boycott campaign targeting brands linked to Israel. This campaign included well-known brands and food chains such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, HP, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Adidas, and many more.

You can find the full boycott list here.

One specific claim suggested that Coca-Cola is tricking consumers by altering the appearance of its cans and selling them under different names to circumvent the boycott.

The Truth Behind the Claims

According to these social media claims, Coca-Cola allegedly owns Palestine Cola and other brands like Qibla Cola and Mecca Cola. However, this allegation is unfounded. Investigations by AFP journalists have confirmed that this is false information.

Palestine Cola: This soft drink is produced by the “Safad Foodstuff Company” which has no ties to Coca-Cola. The company is owned by two Palestinian-origin brothers residing in Sweden, according to their official website.

Qibla Cola: Launched in 2003 by a British company in Derby, Qibla Cola was created to provide an alternative to American soft drink brands, specifically targeting the Muslim community. This brand also has no affiliation with Coca-Cola.

The claims that Coca-Cola owns Palestine Cola and Qibla Cola are baseless and inaccurate.