Nando’s Limits Coca-Cola Refills After New Government Sugar Rules Customers react as popular chain ends ‘bottomless’ Coke option under anti-obesity measures

Nando’s has introduced new restrictions limiting customers to one glass of Coca-Cola Classic per visit following government regulations aimed at reducing sugar consumption.

The restaurant chain, known for its refillable soft drinks, has replaced its unlimited Coca-Cola option with a one-glass policy. Zero-sugar alternatives such as Sprite Zero and Fanta Zero remain available for unlimited refills.

Updated notices on Nando’s drinks machines inform customers that the change follows new legal requirements.

The message reads: “Want Coca-Cola Classic? It’s one glass only. Based on new government laws, we’ve had to limit Coca-Cola Classic to one glass per customer. Still thirsty? Help yourself to one of our low-sugar fizzy bottomless soft drinks.”

The move has prompted complaints across social media, with some users criticising what they call “nanny state” restrictions. Others described the change as “a joke.”

However, there are some people who are now put at a disadvantage as they are allergic to sugar substitutes.

Similar policies are reported to have been introduced by other restaurant chains including Five Guys, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Pizza Hut and Burger King.

The change follows new anti-obesity rules banning free refills of sugary drinks and “buy one, get one free” promotions on foods high in fat, sugar or salt. These measures build on government efforts that began in 2021 under then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.”

Health experts have supported the new rules, arguing that limiting access to sugary drinks and foods can reduce over-consumption. Research from the University of Leeds found that supermarket restrictions on unhealthy items at checkouts and aisle ends cut sales of those products by around two million items a day.

Further measures are expected next year, including a ban on online promotions of unhealthy food and a pre-9pm watershed on junk food advertising.

Government data shows more than a quarter of adults and one in five Year Six pupils in England are classed as obese. Weight-related illnesses cost the UK economy around £74 billion annually, with obesity linked to conditions such as heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

The restrictions mirror earlier initiatives such as the 2018 Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which taxed beverages containing over 5g of sugar per 100ml. That policy encouraged many brands to reduce sugar content, though Coca-Cola maintained its original recipe and absorbed the cost of the levy.

Wales is set to adopt similar rules next year, with Scotland expected to follow.

Could Your Allergy Symptoms Be Linked to a Stevia Sensitivity?

Have you recently made the switch to a low-sugar or sugar-free diet in an effort to live a bit healthier, only to find yourself suddenly battling unexplained allergy symptoms? 

Sneezing, rashes, itching, or even digestive discomfort can be confusing, especially if you’re eating “cleaner” than ever. One unexpected culprit might just be stevia.

What Is Stevia?

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It's become a popular choice for people looking to reduce sugar intake without using artificial sweeteners. You’ll often find it in:

Sugar-free fizzy drinks

Keto-friendly baked goods

Protein powders and health bars

Flavoured waters

“Natural” sweeteners for coffee or tea

On labels, it might appear as:

Steviol glycosides

Rebaudioside A (Reb A)

Stevia leaf extract

E960 (the EU additive code)

Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Stevia?

While true stevia allergies are rare, they can happen. Stevia belongs to the Asteraceae plant family — the same group as ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, and marigolds. If you’re allergic to any of those, your body may react similarly to stevia.

Possible Signs of a Stevia Sensitivity or Allergy:

Skin rashes or hives

Itchy mouth or throat

Sneezing or nasal congestion

Upset stomach or diarrhoea

Facial swelling (especially lips or eyes)

In extremely rare cases, anaphylaxis

What Should You Do?

If you suspect stevia might be behind your recent symptoms:

Read ingredient labels carefully — even health products may contain stevia in some form.

Eliminate all products containing stevia for at least a week or two and monitor symptoms.

Keep a food diary to track what you eat and how you feel.

Speak to your GP or an allergist — you may be offered skin prick testing or other diagnostic options.

Alternatives to Consider

If you discover stevia is a trigger for you, don’t worry, there are other low-sugar or sugar-free options:

Monk fruit extract (often blended with erythritol)

Xylitol or erythritol (sugar alcohols — though note they can cause digestive upset for some)

Raw honey or maple syrup (not sugar-free, but less processed)

Final Thoughts

Switching to a low-sugar lifestyle is a great health goal, but not every ingredient will work for every body. If your body starts sending strange signals, listen to it — and don’t rule out even the most “natural” ingredients as a potential cause.

Have you experienced symptoms after switching to sugar-free or stevia-sweetened products? Share your story in the comments, you’re not alone, and your experience might help someone else figure it out too.

Update:- The reason we researched and wrote this blogpost is that my wife realised that she has an allergy to stevia and wondered if this type of allergy was impacting other people. It transpires that it is.

Want to know the secret to a healthy smile? It's on the tip of your tongue!

Dental Expert Dr James Goolnik, founder of Optimal Dental Health, London, explains how and why the secret to a healthy smile is, genuinely, on the tip of your tongue. Or can be, if you follow some simple advice from Dr Goolnilk.

He told That's Food and Drink: “Do you want one simple habit to get a healthier smile? 

"Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol, after meals, is scientifically proven to reduce cavities, neutralise harmful acids, and keep your breath fresh – and my go-to gum is Peppersmith Gum. 

"Why xylitol? It’s a natural sugar alternative that bacteria simply can't digest, meaning it actively fights against tooth decay. 

"It stops bacteria from sticking to your teeth, lowering plaque build-up and reducing the risk of cavities and bad breath. Xylitol also helps to neutralise acid and strengthen enamel. Every time you eat, acids from food and drinks attack your teeth. 

"Chewing gum increases saliva flow, which helps wash away acid and protect your enamel. Finally, xylitol helps to freshen breath naturally; unlike sugary mints and gum that mask bad breath and contribute to cavities, xylitol gum reduces the bacteria that cause bad breath, giving you long-lasting freshness.”

James Goolnik BDS MSc, is a dentist who has a genuine and deep passion for nutrition. Previously President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, he's now head judge of the Private Dentistry Awards and he lectures internationally on the mouth-body connection. 

Twice voted ‘the most influential person in dentistry in the UK’, James is the Founder of Optimal Dental Health in London (www.optimaldentalhealth.co.uk), a member of The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and fully SMART certified.

Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol after meals is scientifically proven to reduce cavities, neutralise harmful acids, and keep your breath minty fresh - and Peppersmith Gum is bursting with this tooth-loving hero. 

With proper British mint from a relatively tiny farm in Hampshire, Peppersmith’s sugar free Peppermint Gum and Spearmint Gum taste totally mintylicious, whilst also proactively cleaning your mouth.

Only the finest mint makes the cut, and once harvested, it’s distilled into the very best, pure mint oil. Fresh! Xylitol, a plant-based, natural sugar alternative, works to keep this freshness by reducing the harmful bacteria that cause plaque build-up, tooth decay and bad breath.

Like the rest of the Peppersmith range (yes, there’s more), Peppersmith chewing gum is approved by the Oral Health Foundation and recommended by a growing bank of dentists and dental health professionals across the country.

Not a fan of gum? Try Peppersmith’s award-winning Peppermint Mints or for extra punch, their Extra Strong Mints with explosive eucalyptus. There’s also deliciously zingy Lemon Mints and berry-tastic Strawberry Pastilles, both a huge hit with big and little kids alike.

Plus the Peppermint Mints and both flavours of Gum now come in Mighty Pouches – for freshness to the max, or sharing, and if you can’t decide which flavour to pick, there’s a totally tantalising mixed taster box bursting with all of them. The perfect way to taste what all the fuss is about.

And, of course, absolutely all Peppersmith products are sugar free, gluten free, vegan friendly, free from palm oil and nut free – and because they contain plant-based sweetener xylitol, they represent a healthier choice for your teeth, gums and smile.

Peppersmith Mints, Gum and Pastilles cost from £1.35 (15g gum, Ocado) and are available from health shops and supermarkets nationwide, including Holland & Barrett, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and now Starbucks and all WHSmith’s Travel Outlets.

The all-new Mighty Pouches of gum and mints cost from £3 (50g Ocado), and the

mixed taster boxes cost £17.99 and are available from Peppersmith direct, via www.peppersmith.co.uk.