Drinks group Britvic warned that sales of Tango and Pepsi were under pressure today as consumers continued their drive for healthier lifestyles.
Shares in Britvic slumped by about 20 per cent - wiping £100 million off its value - after the company warned its profits would be near the bottom end of hopes.
Britvic, which is the second-largest fizzy drinks firm in the United Kingdom behind Coca-Cola, said there had been a weakening in the total soft drinks market in the United Kingdom since Christmas.
"The consumer trend towards 'better for you' is accelerating and as a consequence sales in the carbonates category, except those with no added sugar, have slowed," it said in a statement.
The Chelmsford-based company makes Pepsi under contract, as well as Robinsons and Tango.
It told investors that revenues increased by 1 per cent and operating profit pre-exceptionals rose by 5 per cent, for the 12 weeks to December 25th. However, it warned of a deteriorating trend since then and said it was working on new products for launch.