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Zim livid as Coca-Cola reduces sugar content in iconic local drink

Harare - There has been an outcry in Zimbabwe after the Coca-Cola Company changed the ingredients of the country's iconic drink Mazoe.

Over the last few weeks social media has been abuzz with complaints, as Zimbabweans registered their displeasure with the taste of Mazoe products bottled by Coca-Cola's Zimbabwean franchise Schweppes Zimbabwe.

The outcry, which was slowly turning into a campaign to boycott the products, forced Coca-Cola to  explain the changes it made in the formulation of its products.

The beverages maker said this was a response to recommendations by several leading health authorities, which are calling for a limit on sugar consumption.

On Tuesday Coca-Cola told state media that it has taken a global decision to do more to fight obesity.

"Around the world, eating and drinking less sugar is an increasingly important issue for many people. Sugar in both foods and beverages can be part of a balanced lifestyle if people don’t have too much.

"We support the current recommendation by several leading health authorities that people should limit their intake of added sugar to no more than 10% of their total energy consumption.

"We have begun a journey toward this goal, including reducing the sugar in our Mazoe syrups and Mazoe Orange Crush," said Coca-Cola.

Mazoe is popular in Zimbabwe and is one of the iconic products those in the diaspora always ask for from back home.

Market watchers however said the change could have been caused by Schweppes Zimbabwe’s challenges in importing enough syrup amid the foreign currency challenges country is currently facing.


   Anyone else stopped drinking Mazoe? #263Chat#Twimbos
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