Police have been forced to launch an investigation after human waste was found in cans of Coca-Cola in the company’s County Antrim factory.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has now teamed up with the multi-national company to probe the matter.

Coca-Cola has insisted the incident does not affect any products currently on sale.

The grim discovery was made by factory workers who were on night shift last week.

An inside source told the Belfast Telegraph the discovery was “absolutely horrible” and described how machinery had to be switched off for around 15 hours in order to be cleaned.

The source added: “It was unusual because, normally, the cans come from somewhere else in the UK, but this time they apparently came from Germany.”

So, how did the waste get there? “The rumour is that some poor immigrants could have made that long journey in the lorry and that, in their desperation, were forced to use the cans instead of a toilet,” said the source.

The PSNI said in a statement: “Detectives are investigating an incident at commercial premises in the Lisburn area following reports that a consignment of containers delivered to the premises had been contaminated.

“The investigation is at an early stage and there are no further details available at this time.”

Speaking to the Evening Times, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola said: “We take the safety and quality of our products extremely seriously.

“We are aware of an incident involving empty cans at our plant in Knockmore Hill, Lisburn.

“We are treating this matter extremely seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation in cooperation with the PSNI.

“The problem was identified immediately through our robust quality procedures and all of the product from the affected batch was immediately impounded and will not be sold.  

“This is an isolated incident and does not affect any products currently on sale.”