Lilt has been axed by its parent brand Coca-Cola in a major change which has left fans of the fizzy drink devastated.
The iconic pineapple and grapefruit drink is being discontinued after almost 50 years on shelves - but the "totally tropical taste" won't disappear completely.
It is set to be replaced by a new flavour of Fanta, which will also be pineapple and grapefruit flavour, simply under a new name.
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Lilt has been around since 1975, inspired by the flavours of the Caribbean, and was only sold in the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar and the Seychelles.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) confirmed the change in a statement, noting that the drink’s packaging and logo are being changed and it will now be known as Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit, Birmingham Live reports.
Instead, Lilt is being replaced and relaunched under a new name - Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit.
In late 2021, Lilt was rebranded in Ireland as a sub-brand of Fanta, with the UK following suit in 2022.
The Grocer quotes Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) as saying: "Keen Lilt fans may have spotted a gradual transition as the drink has made its way into the Fanta family over the past few months, with changes to its packaging and logo.
"Some have even hypothesised on social media that Lilt may be becoming part of the Fanta brand, and one even went as far as producing their own news broadcast-style video."
Martin Attock, CCEP GB VP of commercial development, explained that the main priority of the announcement is to "reassure Lilt’s loyal fanbase that absolutely nothing has changed when it comes to the iconic taste of the drink they know and love."
He said: "It’s still bursting with tangy tropical flavours. It’s just got itself a new name."
Between 2008 and 2014, The Coca-Cola Company reduced the number of calories in the drink by 56 per cent as part of its efforts to make healthier products in response to the British Government's Public Health Responsibility Deal.
The new Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit drink will be available in 330ml cans, 500ml bottles and two-litre bottles, all of which promise to bring the 'same totally tropical taste'.
The news comes just a couple of years before Lilt was set to celebrate its 50th anniversary following its release in 1975.
Loyal Lilt fans took to Twitter to express their heartbreak at the news, with one writing: "Oh no.... I love Lilt. Thought it had been hard to get recently."
Another person wrote: "Oddly enough, I have nothing but positive associations with Lilt and negative ones with Fanta."
A third agreed, writing "Rip lilt, a very sad departure. A childhood favourite of mine."
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