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Popular supermarket and restaurant chains have been forced to ban free refills hot chocolate drink between the beginning of the new obesity law,
Morrison has announced changes to its unlimited hot drinks offer following long-awaited measures to tackle childhood obesity coming into force on 1 October. Other chains with similar refill offers are also expected to follow suit.
After the supermarket confirmed customers will no longer be able to get free refills on hot chocolate or mochas, people have reacted with fury, labeling the policy “dystopian”.
“It’s not just ‘full fat’ Coke at Nando’s,” one customer wrote on X. “They’ve come to Morrisons for hot chocolate and mocha! Hot chocolate!”
Morrison said it still offers free refills on all hot drinks except hot chocolate and mocha.
It comes after backlash at chicken restaurant Nando’s, known for its bottomless free fizzy drinks, which announced customers will be banned A glass of full-sugar Coca-Cola due to the new regulations.
Photos posted on social media show a sticker on drink machines at a fast food restaurant that reads: “Want a Coca-Cola Classic? It’s one glass only. Based on new government laws, we must limit Coca-Cola Classic to one glass per customer. Still thirsty? Enjoy one of our low sugar fizzy bottomless soft drinks.”
In a post on its website, the chicken restaurant wrote: “From 1 October 2025, the UK government’s new High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) legislation comes into force, which all restaurants in England must comply with.
“As a result, we can no longer offer Bottomless Coca-Cola Classic due to its high sugar content. Customers are allowed one glass of Coca-Cola Classic, but can still enjoy any of our other low-sugar bottomless beverages.
“We know this is a change to how customers can enjoy one of our popular soft drinks, and we hope it doesn’t diminish your experience. All of our other low-sugar fizzy bottomless drinks will not be affected.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care previously said on the policy: “Obesity robs children of the best start in life, leaving them with a lifetime of health problems and costing the NHS billions.
“The end of promotions such as buy one get one free on unhealthy foods was first proposed by the previous government in 2020 and comes into effect from this week.”
They said evidence shows that food retail price promotion is widespread and effective, particularly in influencing children’s food preferences and purchases.
They said volume price promotion restrictions are expected to generate health benefits of £2 billion and NHS savings of £180 million over 25 years, while on-location promotion restrictions are expected to generate health benefits of £57 billion and NHS savings of £4 billion.