‘What’s next – brandy butter on your morning toast?’ Yoghurt-makers Muller’s new gin and tonic flavour sparks fury among anti-alcohol campaigners
- Gin & Tonic yoghurts contain 0.5 per cent gin and retail at £3 for a pack of six
- Doctor said the Gin & Tonic yoghurt was ‘counterproductive to public health’
- One Twitter user wrote: ‘What next? Brandy butter on your morning toast?’
Anti-alcohol charities and doctors have criticised Muller after the company introduced a controversial new yoghurt flavour containing gin.
The Gin & Tonic yoghurts, which were launched last year, contain 0.5 per cent gin and can be purchased for £3 for a pack of six.
Dr Nigel Wells, who works in Selby, North Yorkshire, said the yoghurt was ‘counterproductive to public health’ and said the idea could cause drink problems and add to the pressure alcoholism puts on the NHS.
The Gin & Tonic yoghurts contain 0.5 per cent gin and can be purchased for £3 for a pack of six
The product has also sparked a heated debate on social media
Dr Wells said: ‘Given the problems we have with alcohol as a society – which is very visible in our GP practices and A&E departments – the creation of alcohol-inspired yoghurts seems unnecessary and counterproductive to public health.
‘I welcome public discussion and debate around our use of alcohol, which clearly can be enjoyed sensibly, but in light of the Dry January campaign and the health benefits it brings I question whether this product is really necessary.’
Mr Wells also questioned whether it was appropriate to advertise the product on morning television.
The product has also sparked a heated debate on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘I couldn’t believe this when I saw the ad! If it was April fools day I might have thought it was a silly thing, but alcohol in a yogurt opens up far too many issues, what next? Brandy butter on your morning toast?’
Aoife Mcardle added: ‘People don’t seem to get the point being made.
‘It’s not about the alcohol % in the product, it’s about how much alcohol has become part of everything we do. It’s a huge burden on the NHS and shouldn’t be so normalised.’
But others argued the yoghurts would not be purchased by people looking to get drunk.
Others argued the yoghurts would not be purchased by people looking to get drunk
David Ellis said: ‘I can’t see anyone choosing these yoghurts as a way to get drunk – I mean 0.5% alcohol is the standard for ‘alcohol-free beer’ – unless this is what the expression ‘I’m going out to get Mullered’ really means!’
A spokesperson for Müller said: ”Müllerlight Gin & Tonic Inspired yogurt is fat free, high in protein and contains 0% added sugar. It can be enjoyed regularly as part of a healthy balanced diet. We know from feedback from our consumers that they are enjoying it.’
Treatment for alcohol addiction costs the NHS around £3.5bn a year.
Drink Aware has been contacted for comment.