PA
McDonald's has launched what it claims is a 'healthy' fruit drink for children - despite the fact it contains a whopping 12 teaspoons of sugar.
The company reckons that a serving of Fruitizz gives kids one of their recommended five a day fruit portions - even though a 500ml serving has a mega 200 calories (AND 49 grams of sugar - just one gram LESS than health watchdogs recommend kids have in an entire DAY).
The Sun quotes dietitian Christina Merryfield of the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London as saying a large cup of Fruitizz 'has more sugar than a can of Fanta'.
"Sugary drinks can encourage tooth decay and erosion and lead to weight gain. Water is a much better option and milk is great because it is full of calcium and other vitamins and minerals," she added.
A spokesperson from the National Obesity Forum also slammed the drink. Tam Fry called it 'appalling' and said it was an 'incredible' danger to children.
McDonald's says it spent three years developing Fruitizz, which is reckons 'excites children, but also delivers nutritional benefits.'
Made under licence by Coca-Cola, Fruitizz consists of 60 per cent fruit juice from grapes, apples and raspberries mixed with sparkling water.
A McDonald's spokesman claimed it was "very difficult to reduce the calorie content of fruit juice drinks without introducing artificial sweeteners," adding that "like all fruit juices, Fruitizz contains natural sugars that come from the fruit, which is why Fruitizz counts as one of your five a day."
Are you shocked by this? Or do you think 'natural sugars' from fruit are ok?
Will you be letting your kids drink Fruitizz?