Storm brews in a Milo-cup

Given how small the change to the flavour is and given that it has still got that malt flavour . . . we are surprised at the extent of the backlash.

Changes to the recipe of a favourite Kiwi drink has created a storm in a Milo cup after consumers lambasted the company that makes the tasty product.

Nestle, owners of Milo, an Australian chocolate drink that can be consumed hot or cold, made changes to its micronutrients [vitamins and minerals].

Two Waikato mums are on opposite sides of the argument, while Nestle has said the changes are to benefit their children.

Tokoroa mum Christine Ogle said she noticed the change two packets ago. ‘‘My daughter was the first to complain. She kept saying eww it tastes like spew. We started adding more teaspoons of Milo to make it stronger. No we won’t be buying it anymore. I grew up on it, it’s no longer the Milo I loved.’’

However, Taupo mother of two, Rebecca Kana, said her

Margaret Stuart, Nestle corporate affairs manager

7-year-old son Legion Charlie hasn’t flinched at the new taste. ‘‘My son’s a Milo freak, it has to be Milo labelled or he won’t drink it, the taste hasn’t made any difference to him because it is Milo.’’

Kana said she will continue to buy Milo.

Nestle corporate affairs manager Margaret Stuart said the change was to compensate for mineral and vitamin deficiencies in children.

‘‘One of the things we have done is changed the mix of vitamins and minerals and that’s in light of research that has shown the nutritional needs of children, particularly [in] vitamin D which is important for bone density for bone growth,’’ Stuart said.

‘‘There is now evidence in New Zealand of deficiencies in the micro-nutrient.’’

Stuart said the the backlash was surprising.

‘‘Given how small the change to the flavour is and given that it has still got that malt flavour . . . we are surprised at the extent of the backlash.’’

Nestle conducted consumer testing with some New Zealand participants which indicated the changes were minor.