Shoppers have been left furious by the new rules
Morrisons has joined the growing list of retailers making alterations to their offers following new legislation designed to combat unhealthy food promotions.
The supermarket’s cafés have axed hot chocolates and mochas from their complimentary hot drinks refill deal. All other hot beverages, including cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites, remain part of the offer.
The government brought in a prohibition on price or multibuy promotions for unhealthy food and drink last week in a bid to address obesity rates across the nation.
The restrictions cover supermarkets, major high street retailers, DIY outlets, garden centres, petrol stations and online shops. The regulations ban free refill promotions for beverages high in fat, salt or sugar at restaurants and cafés.
Earlier this week, Nandos ditched its unlimited Coca-Cola offer to meet the new requirements, sparking dismay among some diners.
One Morrisons customer said on X: “It’s not just the ‘full fat’ Coke in Nando’s. They’ve come for the hot chocolate and mocha in Morrisons! Hot chocolate!
“Lmao I just got challenged by a staff remember for going for a second mocha. It’s not just a sign! I laughed at this but on reflection it’s quite dystopian really. ‘You’ve had your maximum allowance of mocha sir, it’s the law’.”
The supermarket, which had previously provided customers with complimentary refills on all self-service hot beverages in its cafés, has confirmed the deal now excludes hot chocolate and mocha owing to the legislative changes.
Morrisons had earlier stated it introduced free hot drink refills to “help customers stay warm throughout the colder months”.
Wetherspoons, which provides unlimited refills on coffee, tea and hot chocolate for £1.71 each, will also be compelled to remove hot chocolate from its deal.
A spokesperson for the chain commented: “We are reviewing our position in light of the legislation.”
Shoppers have been left fuming over the alteration, with some flocking to social media to share snaps of fresh notices that have been positioned beside the self-serve hot beverage machines in its cafés.
The notices state: “Due to a recent change in legislation, our Hot Chocolate and Mocha are now excluded from our Free Refills offer.”