Fruit Shoots causing kids to have severe diarrhoea and stomach pains

Fruit Shoots the well-known kids drink that contain almost five teaspoonfuls of sugar (in the full sugar version) have been causing ‘panic’ across the country as two girls have gone ill after drinking them, Ellie Robinson-Smith, 10, suffered sickness, diarrhoea and a “burning throat” after gulping the summer fruits flavoured drink contaminated with “mould growth”.

The details:

• Bottles had best before dates of July 2016
• Purchased from Londis & Costco
• It seems to be due to a mould build-up
• This isn’t a widespread issue (at the moment)
• Supposedly smells like cleaning fluid or nail varnish remover, so if you’re worried then test it before giving it your kids

Mum-of-two Sammi Smith said:

“I tried it and it was absolutely disgusting.

“I opened the lid to smell it and it smelt really bad. I wanted to throw up straight away.

“It was supposed to taste like summer fruits but instead tasted and smelt like nail varnish remover or cleaning fluid.

“I was so worried. We had no idea what it was.”

Fruit Shoots contain mainly spring water, only 10% fruit juice and each full sugar 200ml bottle contains 23g of sugar – the equivalent of almost five teaspoonfuls.

Fruit Shoot manufacturer Britvic launched an investigation on January 4 after Sammi sent them a sample of the drink.

They said:

“We can confirm that the unpleasant taste and smell is the result of mould reacting with the preservative in the product.

“The product in this state is not harmful if consumed, however we appreciate that this was an unpleasant experience for Miss Smith and her daughter.

“This is an industry wide issue, which occurs in very rare instances in uncarbonated soft drinks, which contain fruit juice.

“Fruit Shoot contains fruit juice and, as with any fruit containing soft drink, if exposed to air, there is a possibility of mould growth.”

“We have now been able to confirm the nature of the issue with Miss Smith and express our sincere apologies.”

Britvic has agreed to refund Sammi £20, the price she paid for 48 bottles of the drink.