Customers at Wetherspoons have been left furious after new government rules saw a popular offer at the chain being withdrawn.
While Wetherspoons is perhaps more widely known for its cheap pints and full English breakfasts, it also has a special offer on tea, coffee, and until recently hot chocolate.
New legislation passed by the government came into force on 1 October, aiming to target obesity and improve public health.
Part of it meant that drinks that were particularly high in sugar would not be allowed to be eligible for free refills, which was mainly targeted at sodas.
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Given the high sugar content, the hot chocolate served in Wetherspoons also fell under this category, as well as the mochas, which also used chocolate.
But many people pointed out one slight problem.
This is that, while the hot chocolate is restricted, there's nothing stopping someone from getting a free refill of tea or coffee and then adding in loads of sugar.
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Taking to social media, one person wrote: “But I can put as many sugars in my tea as I please. Take that.”
Another, who said they are an employee, wrote: “As an employee this notice has been the funniest thing we've had to implement in recent memory.
"Made even funnier by the fact that it's due to the sugar content of the hot chocolate, but customers are still fine to use as many sugar sachets as they want in each of their mugs of unlimited tea/coffee.”
And Wetherspoons is not the only company to have been affected by the new rules, with Morrisons also withdrawing a similar hot chocolate offer at its cafes.
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A spokesperson for Wetherspoons told FOODBible: “As a result of government regulations which came into force on 1st October, Wetherspoon has withdrawn hot chocolate and mocha from its free refill offer on hot drinks. The offer still applies to tea and all other coffees.”
The government has defended the policy, which aims to tackle obesity by encouraging people to not consume as much sugary food.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told FOODBible: "Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.
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“The end of promotions such as buy one get one free on unhealthy foods was first proposed by the previous government in 2020 and came into force at the start of this month."
Kit Roberts