A diabetic MP is asking Coca-Cola not to bring its Christmas truck to Leicester, accusing the company of marketing a “real health hazard”.
Keith Vaz insists he does not want to be a “killjoy”, but said the truck would send the wrong message in a city where diabetes is rising and a third of children have tooth decay.
He predicts people will protest if the truck does come to the city.
Coca-Cola said it was still coming but would not give drinks to under-12s.
Mr Vaz previously criticised the sponsorship deal between Coca-Cola and the London Eye.
“I know people like special things happening at Christmas, but Coca-Cola are coming to promote their product and in each can of Coke there are seven teaspoons of sugar,” he said.
If the truck does come, Mr Vaz wants the company to make it clear how much sugar is in each product.
“People will protest against the arrival of this truck and it will not be welcomed in the way in which I think they would have hoped,” said the Leicester East MP.
TV chef Jamie Oliver has also criticised the way Coca-Cola is marketed in a documentary called Jamie’s Sugar Rush.
He visited Mexico, where one in 10 adults has diabetes, and filmed a mother alternating between giving breast milk and Coke to her baby.
He is campaigning for a tax on sugary drinks in the UK.
Image caption MP Keith Vaz gave up sugar when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
Coca-Cola Great Britain said in a statement: “We’re delighted to be visiting Leicester this year as part of the Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour.
“Our Christmas truck tour also operates in line with our responsible marketing policy so we don’t sample our drinks directly to under-12s.
“There will also be an opportunity to choose one of the four Coca-Cola variants to enjoy – this includes Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero, our no calorie, no sugar variants.”
Commentators took to Facebook to poke fun at Mr Vaz’s views with many pointing out he has made made no warnings about Diwali- a major celebration in Leicester.
Indian sweets are traditionally shared during the festival of light.
Ian Wilcox Burdett wrote on Facebook simply “clown” while Daryl Smith added: “A complete idiot. We don’t really want him in Leicester!”
Lky Loki said: “He is being a killjoy. The truck itself represents Christmas for me. I don’t drink coke anyways but want to take my kids into town to see it.”
But others supported the MP’s views.
Elaine Scott agreed: “It is a health hazard” and Gavin Long said: “Soda is NOT good for Humans. If you’re not Human it’s still not OK.”
(BBC)
