The internet has gone mad after Tesco announced its plan to stop selling sugary drinks including best-sellers Ribena, Rubicon and Capri Sun - in a bid to beat obesity.
In a move to be rolled out before the new school year in September, the supermarket giant plans to replace certain drinks with its own brand no-added-sugar alternatives.
Soft drinks brand buying manager David Beardmore told trade magazine The Grocer: "This is part of our 10-point plan against obesity and we have decided that from September we will only sell no-added-sugar drinks in the kids' juice category.
“Most of the suppliers are supportive of it and understand what we are doing.”
Health campaigners seem to approve of the move, with Professor Graham McGregor, chairman of Action on Sugar, telling The Grocer other supermarkets should follow suit.
However, others have suggested the move is over the top - or is futile when the supermarket still stocks sugary food and other naughty treats.
Yeah kids are fat because they're drinking too much Ribena. That's it. That's the culprit right there #ribenagate
— Richard Cook (@RichardCook2) July 28, 2015
The problem with Tesco banning Ribena is you create a black market for it and three year-olds organising violent tricycle drive-bys.
— Suleman (@NamelusWonder) July 28, 2015
No #Ribena but we can still buy #cocacola and #fizzy. Shame on you @Tesco
— Lady tans (@MisTS0) July 28, 2015
So @Tesco is banning Ribena!? Atleast i can still buy chocolate, haribo, alcohol, cigarettes and horse meat! #panicover #ribena #ribenagate
— amie langston (@amielangston) July 28, 2015
@Tesco Every little helps. You are not helping me in the slightest because now I need to find a new Ribena supplier. #ribenagate
— Matt Reuben (@matt_reuben) July 28, 2015
Tesco banning Ribena will play out like the War on Drugs. There'll be gangs of black-market cordial traders lurking outside within days.
— Isaac BD (@IsaacBD) July 28, 2015
In its one point plan to tackle obesity, @tesco to ban sales of food. #Ribena #RibenaGate
— ⓜⓐⓡⓚ (@DarthTurnip) July 28, 2015
It seems @tesco thinks Ribena is more dangerous than a meat cleaver
— Luke Dyks (@LukeDyks) July 28, 2015
My main worry re #ribenagate is that Tesco will stop selling sliced bread with crisps now, negating all useful hangover supplies.
— Iain Aitch (@iainaitch) July 28, 2015
Tesco advertisement in a few month time.. #ribenagate pic.twitter.com/EsW22v7BUQ
— lauren hogan (@_LaurenH_) July 28, 2015
Children are fat because their parents allow them to eat junk - tesco, bring back Ribena! Why should I suffer?! #tesco #ribenagate
— Le wah. (@le_stacewah) July 28, 2015
EngineLondon: This pretty accurately sums up the 5th floor's reaction to #Ribenagate pic.twitter.com/VkWG2xcTUU
— Sandra katcher (@adwordsMT) July 28, 2015
Small cartons and bottles of added sugar Ribena and Capri Sun will be withdrawn from stores as part of a push to ban added sugar in juice drinks aimed at children.
Ribena squash/cordial and no-added sugar versions of Ribena will still be available, as the store aims to combat child obesity.
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