Coca-Cola in South Africa has confirmed there has been a shortage of Appletiser in shops, as the company faced a stock shortage of the beverage. 

Coca-Cola spokesperson Babongile Mandela told News24 in a brief statement that the shortage was not linked to quality issues and no recall of the product had taken place.

The stock shortage was temporary and trade would resume in due course, Mandela added.

In 2021, the National Consumer Commission recalled more than 37 000 Appletisers, after numerous batches did not pass the standard quality check and beverages were found to have toxins such as mycotoxin (patulin). Risks linked to mycotoxin include vomiting, nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Coca-Cola said the recent shortage had been linked to operational constraints at one of its plants. 

"This has since been resolved, and Appletiser will be available in trade across all retailers in due course," Mandela told News24. 

* This article has been updated to reflect Appletiser's anticipated availability, and to include Coca-Cola's official spokesperson by name.