Watchdog bans vodka drink sachets
A vodka-based drink has been banned over fears that it could appeal to children, according to the body that represents the UK’s drinks manufacturers.
The ShotPak drinks, which are sold in plastic pouches, are also said by the Portman Group to encourage excessive drinking.
The group’s Independent Complaints Panel decided to ban ShotPak sachets, imported from the US, following a complaint from Labour MP Sally Keeble.
The pre-mixed vodka drinks are produced in four flavours — Apple Sour, Lemon Drop, Purple Hooter and Kamikaze. There are also full-strength vodka, rum, tequila and whisky versions, which are primarily marketed as STR8UP but also feature ShotPak branding.
The panel decided that the drinks could be mistaken for soft drinks and encourage children to want to buy them.
The panel also ruled that the names were inappropriate as Purple Hooter and Lemon Drop would appeal to under-18s, and Kamikaze could encourage excessive drinking.
The Portman Group’s chief executive, David Poley, said: "These drinks may be acceptable in the States but their marketing falls well short of the standards that UK producers have set themselves.
"These drinks do not spell out their alcoholic content and the images of fruit add to the confusion over what is in them."
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