MORRISONS shoppers have been left furious after a popular offer was banned from supermarket cafes due to new obesity rules.
The retailer has been forced to scrap its free refills for hot chocolate and mochas, as the treats are the latest to be hit by new government laws aimed at tackling childhood obesity.
Morrisons has been forced to slap a limit on its hot chocolate and mocha refills due to new obesity laws[/caption]
The long awaited crackdown, which came into force on October 1, means “buy one get one free” offers on sugary foods in supermarkets and “bottomless” deals on some fizzy drinks have been banned.
The Sun can now reveal that the ban extends to free refills of hot sugary drinks, including hot chocolate and sweetened coffees such as mochas, with Morrisons the first retail giant to axe its deal.
The supermarket, which previously offered customers free refills on all self-serve hot drinks in its cafes, has confirmed that the deal now excludes hot chocolate and mocha due to the legislation changes.
Morrisons previously said it had brought in free refills on hot drinks to “help customers stay warm throughout the colder months”.
Wetherspoons, which offers free refills on coffee, tea and hot chocolate for £1.71 each, could also be forced to scrap hot chocolate from its deal.
The chain has yet to confirm if it will be changing its rules.
Morrisons customers have been left furious over the change, with some taking to social media to share photos of new signs that have been placed next to the self-serve hot drinks machines in its cafes.
The signs read: “Due to a recent change in legislation, our Hot Chocolate and Mocha are now excluded from our Free Refills offer.”
Posting a picture of the sign on X, one shopper wrote: “Can’t have free refills for hot chocolate or mocha, but you can pay for your obesity.”
Another angry user said: “How can we find this tolerable? Why does anyone think this is OK?”
“I have just been informed I can no longer have a free refill hot chocolate or mocha coffee,” another posted.
“Because THE GOVERNMENT are losing out on the sugar tax on free drinks. Seemingly Morrisons face prosecution if they continue to give away free drinks with sugar in them.”
The ban on free refills only applies to drinks where sugar has been added before purchase, the Department for Health and Social Care confirmed – so regular tea and coffee are not included.
Earlier this week, Nando’s fans were devastated after discovering they could no longer get free refills on classic Coca-Cola due to the new rules.
“Nando’s banned refillable drinks? We are living in the end of times,” one angry customer said in response to the ban.
Diners at Nando’s can still enjoy unlimited glasses of diet and zero fizzy drinks, such as Fanta Zero, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero and Dr Pepper Zero.
Other chains offering free refills such as Five Guys, Toby Carvery, Pizza Hut will also be forced to put a halt to the promotion.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.
“The end of promotions such as buy one get one free on unhealthy foods was first proposed by the previous government in 2020 and come into force this week.”
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
