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.
I am throwing a big girl tantrum. I just want my old mazoe orange crush back! New dispensation does not extend to mazoe. Coca Cola give us back our mazoe crush. I am the right weight for my age and height and so are all my children. https://t.co/PYdoLfjRnp
— Grace Mutandwa (@GraceMutandwa1) June 12, 2018
Switched to Oros for now ,can't stand the aftertaste from aspartame & acesulfame-k plus TARTRAZINE, not good for my health and that of my family. Literally we stopped buying Mazoe until they fix it. https://t.co/phKUli4xL1
— mmatigari (@m_matigary) June 12, 2018
Anyone else stopped drinking Mazoe? #263Chat #Twimbos
— Nigel Mugamu 🇿🇼 (@SirNige) June 12, 2018
Switched to Oros for now ,can't stand the aftertaste from aspartame & acesulfame-k plus TARTRAZINE, not good for my health and that of my family. Literally we stopped buying Mazoe until they fix it. https://t.co/phKUli4xL1
— mmatigari (@m_matigary) June 12, 2018