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Original poster

Have people bought less fizzy drink as a result of the sugar tax?

99 replies

Alloverthegrapevine · 28/07/2020 08:56

I'm looking for something that suggests increasing the cost resulted in people changing their habits. I.e. why government think expanding it is a good idea. I haven't seen anything.

In our family, those who previously drank Coke are still making a point of buying "full fat" and pay the extra, but we were probably not the target as fizzy drinks have always been a once a week treat.

Have people stopped or reduced the amount they buy? Have they switched to sugar free versions? I'm afraid I'm not at all convinced they are preferable for health, or even for obesity.

Apologies, if the data is there I should be able to find it, but I haven't succeeded in that search.

OP posts:

AnnieOH1 · 28/07/2020 23:46

Not for us, I buy more full fat Coca Cola now than ever before because of the adulteration of so many other drinks with sweeteners. :/

I am angry at the number of supposed non-diet drinks that have now had aspartame etc added as part of an attempt to reduce sugar. I'd rather (and do) pay more.

Witchend · 29/07/2020 10:00

Not at all.
Hate artificial sweeteners, they give me headaches.

HexyAndIKnowIt · 29/07/2020 10:18

This

Indeed. Adult DS and I went to Pizza Hut before lockdown as a pre cinema treat. I could get pissed as a newt on the endless beers and spirits they had, but I couldn’t have a glass of full fat coke because seemingly it’s bad for me.
I believe it’s possibly store specific, I’ve not been back.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food

rosiethehen · 29/07/2020 10:30

I just drink Belvoir cordial with soda water. I don't like fizzy pop drinks as they always were too sweet. Some of the supermarkets sell more adult type fizzy drinks now with rhubarb and ginger etc.

lyralalala · 29/07/2020 10:40

I have, but only because Barrs destroyed Irn Bru.

It's actually worked out well for me as I probably had an actual addiction. I've also lost 2.5 stone with zero changes other than the Bru, which is a bit shameful.

When we do have fizzy drinks in the house it tends to be full fat coke as I'd rather the kids had that rather than all the artificial sweetners in diet or zero drinks.

pinkrocker · 29/07/2020 10:48

I adored the San Pellegrino lemonade. It was amazing for my migraines (no idea why!)
To avoid the sugar tax they changed the recipe to include Stevia which is vile and made the drink unpalatable. I've yet to find another sharp/sweet lemonade like it.
I think as a Grown Up Person I should have the choice of what I decide to consume, be it a diet version or a full sugar version. It should be up to me to decide!

ChrissyPlummer · 29/07/2020 11:00

pinkrocker Have you tried Cawston Press Elderflower lemonade? I suffer migraines and this one is helpful for me. I also recommend their Rhubarb and Apple and Ginger & Apple.

ExtremelyBoldSquirrels · 29/07/2020 11:05

I think as a Grown Up Person I should have the choice of what I decide to consume, be it a diet version or a full sugar version. It should be up to me to decide!

I agree. It’s annoying to be completely denied the choice as if I’m a toddler who can’t be trusted to make her own decisions.

But my consumption was very low to start with. So I doubt the manufacturers care if I buy 0 rather than 4 cans a year.

Moonmelodies · 29/07/2020 11:10

Most restaurants will provide sugar (to go in coffee, for example), so order the cheaper drinks, and ask for a few sugars to pop in.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 29/07/2020 11:21

@Moonmelodies

Most restaurants will provide sugar (to go in coffee, for example), so order the cheaper drinks, and ask for a few sugars to pop in.

That doesn’t work! The drink will still have artificial sweeteners in so I will still spend the next few hours in the bathroom......

WaffleCash · 29/07/2020 11:22

Consumption has reduced slightly because in many pubs the only non alcoholic sweetener free option is water. Sweeteners give me IBS type symptoms so I avoid.

At home I only drink lemonade as mixer in alcoholic drinks which isn't all that often.

I don't mind paying the tax, but it annoys me massively that it's meant that the choice to have sweetener free drinks has been taken away. Especially when i see the amount of sugar people pour into coffee on top of the syrups already included.

Lazypuppy · 29/07/2020 11:28

I just switched to diet coke instead of full fat coke

HexyAndIKnowIt · 29/07/2020 11:30

As an aside, anyone else struggling to get the Belvoir Blackcurrant & Blueberry cordial at the moment? Out of stock in Ocado for me and the space for it on the shelf in my local Tesco has gone.

I do hope they haven't stopped making it, its the closest thing to original 80's Ribena there is!

tectonicplates · 29/07/2020 13:18

"A vocal minority have complained about this and have sought out niche brands (or full fat coke/red bull/etc) that don't have artificial sweeteners but the VAST majority of consumers switched- in many cases without even realising brands had reformulated.“

I find this very difficult to believe. Are you really saying the majority of consumers can't tell the difference in the taste?

Reluctantbettlynch · 29/07/2020 13:58

No. It really pisses me off as my ds gets headaches from Diet drinks - can't have anything with aspartame in as it makes him feel ill. Then drinks he's fine with suddenly add it in with no warning
People are time poor and convenience foods with lots of preservatives are the biggest problem.
Food was made from scratch when there was a home maker doing all the cooking / baking. Now the majority are at work and don't have as much time and generations haven't learned to cook while growing up.
Cookery in schools needs looking at to show kids how simple things are. Include budgeting as part of the lesson - cost of ingredients / no of portions etc
These are just taxes so the government gets more money dressed up by their nanny state approach.

EBearhug · 29/07/2020 15:01

I think consumers can tell the difference, but aren't given a choice, so while some people will just stop eating/drinking the product, others will still buy it and spend ages whinging about it online (there's been many a thread about Cadbury's, for example.)

Blankiefan · 29/07/2020 15:15

*A vocal minority have complained about this and have sought out niche brands (or full fat coke/red bull/etc) that don't have artificial sweeteners but the VAST majority of consumers switched- in many cases without even realising brands had reformulated.“

I find this very difficult to believe. Are you really saying the majority of consumers can't tell the difference in the taste?*

Yes. Many brands (e.g. Fanta, Dr Pepper) had already started to reduce sugar levels and balance out with sweeteners before the SDIL was announced (mostly for cost reasons as sugar was expensive - less expensive now that demand has gone down). Whilst some consumers complained, most didn't and the brands didn't massively drop sales.

People commenting on this thread are very invested because they either have a health issue that artificial sweeteners triggers or because they really don't like artificial sweeteners. Most people don't notice, lots don't care. There is definitely some widespread concern about artificial sweeteners when consumers are asked about their attitudes towards them but this doesn't translate into action for most of them. Look at Pepsi Max or Coke Zero. Both growing well as Coke full sugar went up in price. Cost and taste are the biggest influencers and for most people, artificial sweeteners don't equal awful taste. Cost motivates enormously.

heartsonacake · 29/07/2020 15:23

No, I won’t be pressured into changing my habits because some people have no self control.

I don’t like the taste of Coke Zero/Pepsi max, so of course I’ll stick with the regular stuff. Anywhere that refuses to sell it will not be getting my business.

heartsonacake · 29/07/2020 15:26

@HexyAndIKnowIt

This

You can get regular Pepsi at Pizza Hut, it’s just not included in the Unlimited Soft Drinks deal so you have to buy a separate bottle of it.

DebbieFiderer · 29/07/2020 15:37

I prefer sugar free versions, so am actually drinking more fizzy drinks now as they are a lot easier to get in restaurants etc - it used to be only coke that you have the option for and I try not to drink much caffeine especially in the evenings. So being able to have diet lemonade is a big improvement for me

HexyAndIKnowIt · 29/07/2020 18:54

You can get regular Pepsi at Pizza Hut

As I said. Store specific. Not at my local you cant.

heartsonacake · 29/07/2020 19:00

@HexyAndIKnowIt

You can get regular Pepsi at Pizza Hut

As I said. Store specific. Not at my local you cant.

I would be very surprised if that was true. They’re a chain restaurant; their model is to have the same menu nationwide for consistency and ease of service.

It’s most likely you just haven’t noticed its move on the menu away from all the other soft drinks that are still unlimited.

HexyAndIKnowIt · 29/07/2020 20:03

I would be very surprised if that was true

Then be surprised. I had a long discussion with the manager about it. I actually asked how they could justify serving alcohol but nothing full fat. I had a pint of water. This happened in January this year. I've not been back to see if its changed and I don't intend on doing so.

I'm not in the habit of making up lack of drinks on a forum.

HexyAndIKnowIt · 29/07/2020 20:12

There are a couple of references online to customers not being able to get full fat drinks in Pizza Hut.

Please do remember there are franchised. Just because you get something in your local one, doesn't mean I do in my arse end of nowhere one.

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