Cola shortage?

[Pale Rider]

I'm partial to diet cola but have had problems buying it recently.

Given that I like it with about a third water, my preference is for cheaper, supermarket own brands.

There's been none available during my last few visits to Aldi, Lidl, and Spar.

Sainsbury's had a few bottles of their X-Zero, but no own label diet.

There was the CO2 shortage a couple of months ago, which may still be feeding through the supply chain.

Another theory is supermarkets are stuck with large stocks of sugar cola after the imposition of the sugar tax, so are keeping the diet cola back to clear the other stuff.

First question is am I right - is there a shortage of diet cola or have I just been unlucky when shopping for it?

If there is a shortage, what is the reason?

 

[Spiderweb]

Have you

I'm partial to diet cola but have had problems buying it recently.

Given that I like it with about a third water, my preference is for cheaper, supermarket own brands.

There's been none available during my last few visits to Aldi, Lidl, and Spar.

Sainsbury's had a few bottles of their X-Zero, but no own label diet.

There was the CO2 shortage a couple of months ago, which may still be feeding through the supply chain.

Another theory is supermarkets are stuck with large stocks of sugar cola after the imposition of the sugar tax, so are keeping the diet cola back to clear the other stuff.

First question is am I right - is there a shortage of diet cola or have I just been unlucky when shopping for it?

If there is a shortage, what is the reason?

Have you tried Pepsi Max?
Sugar free and IMO tastes better than Diet Coke.

 

[Pale Rider]

I rather liked the different flavours of the various own-label brands - when I could get them.

I will also drink the premium brands - including Pepsi Max - but have never seen the benefit of paying the extra.

Incidentally, I think Coke and Pepsi is dearer than it was a few months ago.

It's a double whammy, the cheap stuff is hard to obtain and the dearer stuff costs even more than it used to.

 

[Paulus]

Quite possibly because of the CO2 shortage earlier, but also they may be taking the chance to put the price up when stocks are resumed.

 

[midlife]

They have been saving their pennies to buy Costa

 

[vickster]

Quite possibly because of the CO2 shortage earlier, but also they may be taking the chance to put the price up when stocks are resumed.

And while the weather is warm

 

[classic33]

I rather liked the different flavours of the various own-label brands - when I could get them.

I will also drink the premium brands - including Pepsi Max - but have never seen the benefit of paying the extra.

Incidentally, I think Coke and Pepsi is dearer than it was a few months ago.

It's a double whammy, the cheap stuff is hard to obtain and the dearer stuff costs even more than it used to.

The Sugar Tax increased the price/brought in smaller bottles, then the C02 shortage hit.

 

[ColinJ]

My local Lidl have been running out of carbonated spring water for months now. I'm sure that the CO2 shortage is to blame for that and any cola shortages.

 

[MontyVeda]

I've not noticed a shortage of the own brand colas in my Aldi in the last few weeks/months... but proper Coke (330 & 500ml) and energy drinks have been out of stock for a while. No idea why though.

 

[night cycler]

Look on the bright side Pale Rider-less visits to the dentist.

 

[ColinJ]

Look on the bright side Pale Rider-less visits to the dentist.

He drinks the sugar-free colas! (I imagine that artificial sweeteners do not rot teeth like sugar?)

 

[vickster]

He drinks the sugar-free colas! (I imagine that artificial sweeteners do not rot teeth like sugar?)

They are as acidic which is as much what does for teeth

 

[ColinJ]

They are as acidic which is as much what does for teeth

Ah, okay!

I just read a few articles on the subject and one suggestion to reduce the rot caused by cola drinking was to drink it through a straw, thus mostly bypassing the teeth.

My tipple is 1 part OJ to 3 parts sparkling spring water. That isn't supposed to be as bad, but still has a slightly corrosive effect. I'll start rinsing my mouth out afterwards!

 

[Dave7]

Aldi had no lemonade for weeks (apart from the really cheap 17p per Ltr stuff).
Was forced to go to Lidl
I protect my teeth by diluting it with whisky.

 

[Cycleops]

I can image that when the Co2 shortage combines with KFC supply problems life must be hell.