People claim Fanta has been 'downgraded' after Coca-Cola makes change to fizzy drink

Fanta enthusiasts across the nation have been united in fury after soft drinks giant Coca-Cola made a change to the popular fizzy drink.

Brits who enjoy supping on one of the bright and bubbly beverage have been left with a bad taste in their mouth this week, after the firm unveiled it's reformulated refreshment.

It isn't the fact that Coca-Cola roped in Jaime Laing to promote the brand refresh which is upsetting people though, but rather the unfortunate flavour they say the sugar-free option now has.

The recipe for Fanta Orange Zero has been tweaked so that it tastes more like the original, but fans of the drink aren't too impressed with the supposedly 'new and improved taste'.

Before the revamp, the sugar-free orange beverage was sweetened with just two ingredients - acesulfame K and aspartame.

But after going back to the drawing board, Coca-Cola have now flung quite a few more sweeteners in the mix when flavouring Fanta Orange Zero.

Although aspartame is out, the likes of cyclamates, acesulfame-K, sucralose, steviol glycosides and neohesperidine DC are in - and people are blaming the new recipe for the unsatisfying sips of Fanta they claim to have had.

Social media users let rip on X, with one even going as far to describe the change as a 'phenomenal downgrade'.

Fanta has a new look as well as a new taste (Coca-Cola)

One furious Fanta fan said: "So the 'new irresistible taste' Fanta Orange Zero has changed in the UK and tastes horrible. "I'm going to have to change to a different drink."

Another wrote: "Coca-Cola what have you done to the zero sugar Fanta in the UK?"

A third added: "The new Fanta Zero is diabolical and is not fit for human consumption."

A fourth commented: "No idea what Coca Cola are up to but the new Fanta Zero is horrible. Phenomenal downgrade on the old one."

While a fifth chimed in: "I used to love it, the new so called 'improved' version tastes like chemicals!"

The only benefit of the rebrand that Brits have been appreciating is that it's now a lot easier to tell the difference between the sugar-free and original, as there is a 'striking new packaging design' to help people differentiate.

Brits have threatened to boycott the popular drink (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

If you spot the words 'new irresistible taste' on the label, you know your sipping one of the new Fanta Orange Zero's.

They are flooding supermarkets across the UK after a launch event in London, which saw former Made In Chelsea star Laing don a bright orange shirt, while acting as Fanta's 'chief flavour officer'.

He was recruited to join the Coca-Cola team in store as he tried to persuade shoppers to pick up Fanta Orange Zero, after selling them on the taste of it.

Fanta brand manager Charlotte Walsham said in a statement: "Our new and irresistible taste for Fanta Orange Zero has been created in response to the public's changing tastes and habits, and is the result of extensive consumer testing.

"Fanta fans are sure to love the new taste of the popular drink, with research even revealing Fanta Orange Zero is the best tasting Orange Zero.

"We can't wait for customers across Great Britain and Ireland to try it."

LADbible have contacted Coca-Cola for comment.

Topics: Food And Drink, Social Media, UK News, Business

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_