Coca Cola makes big change to classic fizzy drink – but fans slam it as a ‘phenomenal downgrade’

COCA Cola has made a big change to one of its classic fizzy drinks, but fans aren't impressed.

The fizzy drinks maker has tweaked the recipe of Fanta Orange Zero Sugar.

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The new Fanta Orange Zero bottles are popping up across stores nationwide and were hard launched in London with the help of Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing.

However, fans of the drink have been left fuming over the change.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) one Fanta Fan said: "No idea what Coca Cola are up to but the new Fanta Zero is horrible.

"Phenomenal downgrade on the old one."

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

"I used to love it, the new so called 'improved' version tastes like chemicals!"

"The new Fanta Zero is diabolical and is not fit for human consumption.

"Change back immediately," said a third Fanta fan.

Shoppers can spot the new from the old, where bottles have a "new irresistible taste" splashed on the front.

The fizzy drinks giant used to sweeten its sugar free Fanta Orange alternative with just two ingredients - acesulfame K and aspartame.

However, the brand's "new and improved" Fanta Zero Sugar soft drink now contains several different sweeteners which are likely to explain the changing flavour.

The new recipe drink is sweetened with cyclamates, acesulfame-K, sucralose, steviol glycosides and neohesperidine DC and no longer contains aspartame.

Charlotte Walsham, fanta brand manager 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."

The new Fanta Orange Zero is available in stores nationwide across Great Britain and Ireland.

Prices of Fanta Zero Sugar have stayed stable, and a pack of eight 330ml cans costs £3.75 at Asda and Morrisons.

Single 500ml bottles will set you back £1.70 at Asda, and two-litre bottles cost £1.75 at the same supermarket.

Fanta fans were last left fuming when the brand reduced the amount of sugar in its drinks to beat the government's sugar tax back in 2017.

A new lower-sugar recipe, which saw Fanta Orange contain 33% less sugar, was introduced.

The sugar tax then came into force on April 6, 2018.

Soft drinks companies have to pay extra in tax for soft drinks with more than 5g and 8g of sugar.