Burger King customers accuse chain of hiking prices due to sugar tax

DISGRUNTLED customers have accused Burger King of hiking-up prices of Coca-cola and meal deals by as much as 26p due to the sugar tax.

Under the new rules, which came into force last week, manufacturers of fizzy and soft drinks are taxed depending on how much sugar is in their beverages.

And it looks like the burger chain is one of a number of companies, which is already passing on the cost of the sugar tax onto its customers.

Coca Cola and Pepsi have chosen not to change their recipes, which means their drinks are now more expensive.

Some customers took to Twitter to share their frustration and blamed the chain for "cashing in".

One customer tweeted: "I am in full agreement with sugar tax but 12p on a small Diet Coke feels like #cashingin."

Another one said: "Can't believe it, wanted a Coca Cola from Burger King but because of sugar tax it would be extra 26p!!

"So instead I was offered diet coke, full of additives, chemicals and aspartame!"

Another Burger King customer added: "Went to Burger King in Leicester Square the other day and was told my meal was 14p extra than the advertised price due to Sugar tax.

"I only drink Diet Pepsi but they said they have to charge it anyway.

"I just walked out and went to Mc Donalds where they don't charge on diet Coke."

The Sun Online has contacted Burger King for further comment.

The new rules mean, drinks more than 5g of sugar per 100ml will go up by 18p, while those with more than 8g per 100ml go up by 24p.

Prices at Burger King vary between stores but on average a regular soft drink like Coke, Sprite or Fanta costs £1.29, while a large one costs £1.79.

Rival McDonald's is also pushing up prices of Coke and meal deals by as much as 12 per cent due to the new sugar tax.

The Government and health campaigners hope the higher prices will put people off buying the most sugar-laden drink.

More than half of all soft drinks have already been changed to lower their sugar content.

Health campaigners have said the fizzy drinks tax should be extended to cover all chocolate, sweets and other confectionery containing the highest levels of sugar.

BITTERSWEET Sugar tax 2018 explained – how much is the new tax on fizzy drinks and does it apply to diet Coke?

Chocolate and sweets are already included in Public Health England’s programme aiming for a 20 per cent reduction in sugar by 2020.

But Action on Sugar is urging a mandatory levy set at a minimum of 20 per cent on all confectionery products that contain high levels of sugar.

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