Coca‑Cola has defended a redesign of its Zero Sugar packaging after shoppers in Australia took to social media to complain the product is now harder to distinguish from the original Coca‑Cola. The company says the adjustment — which has replaced the black script on some packs with white writing — is part of a wider effort to present a unified visual identity across its portfolio.
Why customers are upset
Photos circulating online show cans of Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar sporting white script similar to that used on the Coca‑Cola Classic cans. The change drew immediate criticism from some consumers who said the alteration could cause confusion at a glance, with a bartender and people with dietary restrictions among those voicing concern.
"What the hell is this?"
A number of shoppers posted complaints that included stronger language, describing the new look as "deceiving" and a form of "trickery." One person who identified themselves as allergic to stevia and artificial sweeteners said the redesign was a particular worry for those who must avoid specific ingredients.
Company response and how to tell the difference
A Coca‑Cola spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle the change was made to provide a "more consistent and recognisable brand experience" and insisted efforts had been taken to ensure the different product lines remain distinguishable.
The company highlighted three pack features it recommends consumers use to identify Zero Sugar:
- Larger “Zero Sugar” wording on the can
- A prominent black Dynamic Ribbon on Zero Sugar cans
- A black bottle cap on Zero Sugar bottles
| Feature | Zero Sugar | Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Script colour | Now white on some packs | White |
| Ribbon | Black Dynamic Ribbon | Red (or not prominent) |
| Bottle cap | Black | Red (typically) |
Practical consequences for shoppers and staff
While some users of social media argued the difference remains clear if people look carefully — the words "Zero Sugar" are still printed on the pack — others stressed the change increases the risk of mistakes when selecting drinks quickly, for example behind a busy bar or in a supermarket handover.
For people with allergies or who avoid artificial sweeteners, a momentary mis‑grab can have uncomfortable or serious consequences. Bartenders also told commenters that, when serving multiple customers at pace, they rely on visual cues such as script colour to speed up selection.
The company’s guidance about the three distinguishing features is intended to reduce such errors, but critics argue that asking staff and shoppers to scrutinise packs more closely undermines the benefit of instantly recognisable branding.
What to do when buying drinks
If you want to avoid picking up the wrong drink, a few practical steps help reduce the chance of error:
- Always read the product name on the front rather than relying on script colour.
- Check the can or bottle cap colour if in doubt.
- If you have a specific allergy or intolerance, inspect the ingredients list on the pack before consuming.
The episode is a reminder that even relatively small changes to household brands can trigger strong reactions, particularly when customers feel their ability to make safe choices has been compromised. Coca‑Cola’s move to a more consistent visual identity follows industry trends towards simplified, cohesive branding, but the company may face further scrutiny from consumers and hospitality professionals as the new packs roll out more widely.
For now, shoppers who prefer the previous contrast can either rely on the additional cues the firm has outlined or consider switching to familiar formats such as bottles with distinctive caps until the new cans become the norm.
