Ever heard of champagne-like beverage inspired by the animated hit of a film "Frozen"? Perhaps you're amazed that such a merchandise exists. Recently, though, it probably ceased to.
"Campaigners have blasted a 'Frozen'-themed children's drink in a Champagne-style bottle which they claim will encourage children to try alcohol," Mirror reported.
"The fizzy soft drink, which features images of the Disney blockbuster's characters, is described as 'sophisticated' and 'grown-up'," the British publication added.
Protesters reportedly have since clamored for the product to be pulled out. It is currently sold on Home Bargains, a discount shop in the UK.
"Little princes and princesses across the land who want to be more sophisticated can now have a grown-up alternative to juice and pop at parties," the product's accompanying description on the site read. "The Disney Frozen Non-Alcoholic Party Drink is a delicious sparkling white grape fruit drink which would be perfect at birthdays, family events, BBQs or after a long day building snowmen with Olaf." "With a champagne style cork pop, your little one is sure to feel part of every celebration," the description concluded.
"Alcohol awareness groups were shocked that the 750ml bottles are were same shape as traditional bubbly and even came with a pop cork," Mirror went on to say, adding that the drink came with a £1.69 price tag.
Jackie Ballard, Alcohol Concern's Chief Executive, told Mashable that the retail of the "Frozen"-style drink is an example of alcohol being sold "as if it was a normal commodity."
"This is particularly worrying when products are aimed at children, who we believe should be entitled to an alcohol-free childhood, away from the marketing pressures faced daily by adults," she pointed out.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, Drinkaware's medical advisor, also warned that selling such products could "not only normalise but glamorise alcohol" and also raise the rish of the youth wanting to experiment with alcohol.
"Young people's bodies are still developing and their brains may be more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than those of adults, even at levels within the government's recommended upper limits for adults," she went on.
However, Home Bargains operations director Joe Morris opined that the said drink "is clearly labelled as a non-alcoholic soft drink."
He also expressed that the retailer ensures alcoholic beverages don't get sold to underage consumers.
"All staff members are trained to request ID from any customer attempting to buy alcohol that looks under the age of 21," he explained to Mirror.
Despite this, a Disney spokesperson has since announced in a statement that it "will no longer license Disney images to a product that is packaged to look like alcohol." As such, it won't be manufactured from April 2016 onwards.
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