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Breanna Robinson
Feb 13, 2023
Did You Know? The Coca-Cola Company
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Lilt, the iconic, tropical pineapple grapefruit fizzy drink from Coca-Cola, will no longer be on the shelves of UK shops – and the internet is distraught.
According to The Grocer, the refreshing drink, which has been in stores for nearly 50 years, will be relabeled under Coca-Cola's Fanta brand.
"Keen Lilt fans may have spotted a gradual transition as the drink has made its way into the Fanta family over the past few months, with changes to its packaging and logo," Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said in a statement.
The drink will now be known as Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit, joining the ranks of the other flavours, including grape, orange, strawberry, and more.
Coca's Cola's vice president of commercial development, Martin Attock, told the media that the company's priority is to "reassure Lilt's loyal fanbase" that nothing will change when it comes to the taste of the drink they've grown to love.
Still, people took to social media to share their surprise and disappointment that the beloved drink would be relabeled.
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One person on Twitter wrote: "What the actual! Now they're coming for Lilt. Is nothing sacred? Save Lilt!"
"F*** this to hell. I love a Lilt. Gonna have to stockpile," another added.
A third wrote: "Lilt has passed away. RIP, u will live on forever. Can't believe it. I wanna run to u. Really can't believe this."
Check out other reactions below.
\u201cme seeing the news that they\u2019ve discontinued Lilt:\u201d— Scott Chegg (@Scott Chegg) 1676314517
\u201cI have been moaning for ages about not being able to find Lilt anymore\u2026\u2026.and this is why. #RIPLilt \n\nFor that totally tropical taste.\u201d— Steph McGovern (@Steph McGovern) 1676314812
\u201c@NoContextBrits The UK seeing this Lilt news\u201d— No Context Brits (@No Context Brits) 1676312415
\u201cLilt is being axed after 50 years.\nI grew up loving that drink but the sugar tax destroyed its flavour and I think it now tastes foul.\nRIP Lilt \ud83d\ude4f\nhttps://t.co/znLZnEk1Xy\u201d— Lorraine King (@Lorraine King) 1676311314
Lilt was released to the public in 1975 with the sweet tagline "The totally tropical Taste."
In the 1980s, the ads featured the "Lilt man" handing drinks to beach dwellers. And in 1998, two British Jamaican women - Blanche Williams and Hazel Palmer – were the stars of the ads and called the "Lilt ladies."
\u201cThe Lilt Ladies - Blanche Williams and Hazel Palmer\ud83c\udf4d\u201d— Lorraine King (@Lorraine King) 1676316840
The newly labeled drink will hit stores just in time for Valentine's Day tomorrow (14 February).
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