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Posh Soft Drink Lovers Unhappy As San Pellegrino Adapts Recipe To Avoid Sugar Tax

Posh Soft Drink Lovers Unhappy As San Pellegrino Adapts Recipe To Avoid Sugar Tax

For some, the sugar tax just got real

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

The sweetest things in life are often full of sugar. Accordingly, the sweetest things in life also tend to be quite bad for you.

As such, the government introduced a sugar tax in April, designed to prevent us from buying soft drinks with high sugar content and subsequently increase our chances of living long and healthy lives.

At least, that's the line - some suspect the powers that be simply tax anything that makes the masses happy in order to deplete society of joy.

via GIPHY

Whatever the reason, the tax meant the price of many soft drinks has increased by around 18p to 24p per litre. However, rather than hiking prices, some soft drink manufacturers have instead opted to reduce the sugar content of their drinks to avoid the tax.

San Pellegrino is one such drink that has lowered its sugar content, but it seems many have been left alienated and dissatisfied by the modification. Nestlé, which manufactures the Italian-inspired drinks, has reduced the sugar levels in five of the six flavours.

Previously, the Limonata flavour contained 8.9g of sugar per 100ml, while Aranciata Rossa contained 10g per 100ml - however, by using sweetener stevia, the drinks now contain fewer than five grams per 100ml.

The sugar tax forces manufacturers to pay 18p per litre for drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, and 24p per litre for drinks with more than 8g of sugar per 100ml.

PA

When announcing the changes on its website, Nestlé said: "Over the past two years, San Pellegrino has worked hard to guarantee that the unmistakable and unique taste loved by consumers remains unaffected, with thorough taste tests resulting in positive feedback."

However, judging by some of the reaction on Twitter, it seems many consumer don't agree that the taste has been unaffected by the changes.

One person said: "The sugar tax has completely fucking ruined San Pellegrino."

Another said: "Does anyone have any numbers for some pre sugar tax San Pellegrino? I'm willing to go to jail, to be honest."

A third person wrote: "San Pellegrino has succumbed to the ludicrous sugar tax it would seem. Artificial sweetneers. Vile. Jamie Oliver is the worst c***, I'm sorry."

Others also said they would have preferred a price increase, considering the drink is already a relatively expensive option in the soft drink market.

A Nestlé spokesman said the company would be monitoring online feedback.

He said: "We care about the enjoyment of our products and any product reformulation undergoes extensive testing and research.

"We carried out taste tests of the new San Pellegrino sparkling fruit beverage formulas with consumers, achieving very positive results before launching the range earlier this year.

"We are closely monitoring online reviews and comments to continue to listen our consumers' views."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, UK News, SUgar tax, Soft Drinks, Jamie Oliver