An American man living in the UK has expressed shock after comparing the sugar content of US and UK versions of orange Fanta. Russell McKinley, originally from Chicago, shared his findings on Instagram, highlighting a stark contrast between the two drinks.
McKinley compared 500ml bottles from both countries, noting that the UK version contains 22g of sugar and 96 calories, while the US version has a staggering 73g of sugar and 270 calories. 'I can't believe that,' he said. 'This is actually starting to scare me.'
He also observed differences in taste and appearance. The UK Fanta, which contains real juice, smelled like orange juice and tasted natural, though he admitted it didn't taste like the Fanta he grew up with. In contrast, the US Fanta was much sweeter, leading him to declare, 'Oh my God, they don't taste anything alike.'
McKinley's friend described the UK version's scent as 'orange-flavoured cleaning spray' and said it was 'over-sweetened'. He concluded, 'Being British is fun – and probably a lot safer.'
The significant difference in sugar content is partly due to the UK's soft drinks industry levy, known as the 'sugar tax', which was introduced in April 2018. The levy applies to soft drinks with added sugar, encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar levels.
Instagram users reacted to the video, with one asking, 'Why don't Americans demand better standards of food and drink?' Another commented, 'This is why the obesity epidemic is so massive in the US.'
