Fanta was invented in Germany in 1940, and the video on Fanta’s German website took a nostalgic look at how scientists created the drink.
But by referring to the ‘good old times,’ the brand faced a backlash from viewers who linked the comment to Nazi Germany.
Coca-Cola has responded to say that, although the product was invented in Germany during WW2, the brand had no association with Hitler or the Nazi Party.
Designed to ‘evoke positive childhood memories over seven decades’
The online video was posted on Fanta’s German website to launch Fanta Classic, and explain how Fanta was created.
Coca-Cola was popular drink in Germany, but during the Second World War raw materials needed for its production were scarce.
Coca-Cola’s scientists in Essen set out to develop a drink using alternative, more easily available ingredients: creating a drink in 1940 made with whey and apple pulp. Fanta took its name from the German words ‘fantasticsh’ and ‘fantasievoll’ (fantastic, imaginative).
75th anniversary for Fanta
The online video said that, as the drink celebrates its 75th anniversary, the company wanted to bring back the feeling of the ‘good old times’ with the launch of Fanta Classic.
The video refers to a shortage of materials for Coke, but does not reference WW2 or Nazi Germany.
A spokesperson from Coca-Cola told BeverageDaily.com, “We apologize for any offence caused by a video promoting our new Fanta Classic product in Germany.
“The new product is based on the original Fanta formula and the video was intended to evoke positive childhood memories of many consumers over more than seven decades of Fanta brand history.
“Fanta was invented in Germany during the Second World War but the 75-year-old brand had no association with Hitler or the Nazi Party.”
Last month Coca-Cola also caught the attention of consumers and the media when its #MakeItHappy twitter campaign was tricked into tweeting chunks of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.