Coca-Cola Corp. pulls Coke Zero in Venezuela

? Coca-Cola Corp. said Thursday it had temporarily stopped selling its Coca-Cola Zero brand in Venezuela after the country’s health ministry banned it, claiming the no-calorie soft drink contains harmful ingredients.

Coca-Cola is temporarily halting production of the soft drink in Venezuela, where it had been available for two months.

Spokeswoman Kerry Kerr said Venezuela had not raised specific concerns about the formula or the company’s local operations. She said the company is in discussions with the government and she said the brand is safe.