Mystery of disappearing Rose’s Lime Cordial solved

THE mystery behind Rose’s Lime Cordial shortage has been solved as the company confirmed that there has been a fire at its factory.

Its owner, Coca-cola, admitted that production had been temporarily suspended in a public apology to customers. It is hoped supplies will return to normal within a few weeks.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph received a number of letters from readers concerned about the availability of the drink. A number of fans also tweeted Coca-cola asking why it was absent from shops.

‘The team is working hard to ensure the drink will be back on shop shelves within the next few weeks’

A Coca-cola spokesman said: “We’re sorry that due to a fire at the factory where Rose’s Lime Cordial is produced, production has been halted while the necessary repairs are carried out.

“The team is working hard to ensure that production is back up and running as soon as possible and we hope it will be back on shelves in the next few weeks.”

Lime cordial originated in the 1700s, when it was used by the Royal Navy to supplement diets at sea and prevent scurvy among sailors.

Lauchlan Rose patented a method to preserve citrus juice without alcohol in 1867 after realising that preserving the juice with sugar rather than alcohol opened the product up to a far wider market.

The first factory producing lime juice was set up in Edinburgh’s port area of Leith in 1868.