Why you can't buy Dasani water in Britain

9m 51s2020-03-09N/A
BusinessConsumer GoodsMarketing ManagerPublic Relations Specialist

Dasani, Coca-Cola's bottled water, failed in the UK in 2004 because it was purified tap water, not natural mineral water, which was what British consumers expected. This was made worse by a popular 1992 TV show episode where a character sold contaminated tap water as 'mineral water'. Although Dasani didn't hide it was purified tap water, newspapers highlighted this, leading to public distrust. The final blow was a recall due to a small amount of a harmful chemical found in the water, resulting in Dasani being pulled from the UK market permanently.

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MarkupC2Noun

The amount added to the cost price of goods to cover overheads and profit.

Examples:

  • The store applies a 50% markup on all imported goods.
  • With such a high markup, the luxury brand ensures significant profit margins.
  • Consumers often don't realize the substantial markup on restaurant wine.
RogueC2Noun

A person who behaves in a mischievous or unconventional way, often with a charming or independent spirit.

Examples:

  • The lovable rogue always had a clever scheme to get out of trouble.
  • Despite his rebellious nature, the young rogue was admired for his wit.
  • The character of the charming rogue is a common archetype in classic literature.
BlunderC2Noun

A significant and often careless mistake.

Examples:

  • Forgetting to back up the data was a major blunder that cost the company valuable time.
  • The politician's gaffe was an unfortunate blunder that dominated the news cycle.
  • She tried to recover from her social blunder gracefully, but the awkwardness lingered.
InnuendoC2Noun

An indirect hint or suggestion, often of a derogatory or suggestive nature.

Examples:

  • The article was filled with subtle innuendo about the CEO's personal life.
  • He dismissed her comment as mere innuendo, refusing to address the underlying accusation.
  • The comedian's act relied heavily on innuendo to get laughs from the audience.
ClassierC2Noun

Having a higher degree of elegance, sophistication, or style.

Examples:

  • She chose a classier dress for the formal event, opting for a more understated design.
  • The new restaurant has a much classier ambiance than its predecessor.
  • He believed that using proper grammar made his writing sound classier and more professional.
LovableC2Adjective

Inspiring or deserving love or affection; easy to like.

Examples:

  • Despite his flaws, the main character was incredibly lovable and relatable.
  • The stray puppy had such a lovable demeanor that it quickly found a new home.
  • Her cheerful personality made her instantly lovable to everyone she met.
RecreateC2Verb (base form)

To create something again or anew, often in a different context or form.

Examples:

  • The chef attempted to recreate the classic dish using only local ingredients.
  • Historians worked to recreate the ancient city's architecture based on archaeological findings.
  • The artist used modern techniques to recreate the feeling of a Renaissance painting.
GagC2Noun

A joke or humorous trick.

Examples:

  • The comedian's opening gag immediately got a laugh from the crowd.
  • It was a running gag throughout the play, always getting a chuckle from the audience.
  • His friends played a harmless gag on him for his birthday, hiding his car keys.
SpunkC2Noun

Courage, determination, or spirit.

Examples:

  • Despite repeated setbacks, she showed a lot of spunk in pursuing her goals.
  • The young athlete played with great spunk, never giving up even when losing.
  • It takes real spunk to stand up for what you believe in, especially when it's unpopular.
PsycheC2Noun

The human soul, mind, or spirit, often in relation to its deepest parts.

Examples:

  • The film delved deep into the complex psyche of its protagonist.
  • Years of training had a profound impact on the athlete's competitive psyche.
  • Understanding the collective psyche of the nation was key to predicting election results.
BromateC2Verb (base form)

A salt or ester of bromic acid, sometimes formed as a byproduct during water disinfection and classified as a potential carcinogen.

Examples:

  • Tests confirmed the presence of bromate in the water supply, prompting an immediate investigation.
  • The new filtration system was designed to prevent the formation of bromate during treatment.
  • Regulators set strict limits on the acceptable levels of bromate in drinking water.
PurifierC2Noun

A device or substance used to remove impurities from something.

Examples:

  • She installed an air purifier in her bedroom to help with her allergies.
  • The water purifier removed harmful contaminants, making the tap water safe to drink.
  • Many homes now use a whole-house water purifier for better water quality.
HonkingC2Verb (gerund/present participle)

Making a loud, often harsh sound, typically associated with a vehicle's horn or a goose.

Examples:

  • The constant honking of car horns in traffic was incredibly annoying.
  • I heard the distinct honking of geese as they flew overhead in formation.
  • He spent five minutes honking his horn, trying to get his friend's attention.
SitcomC2Noun

A situation comedy, a genre of comedy series, typically centered on a fixed set of characters and a recurring location.

Examples:

  • My favorite sitcom from the 90s still makes me laugh out loud.
  • The new sitcom struggled to find an audience despite its talented cast.
  • Many classic sitcoms explore themes of family and friendship.
RipoffC2Noun

Something that is greatly overpriced; an act of cheating someone by overcharging.

Examples:

  • Charging $10 for a small bottle of water at the concert was an absolute ripoff.
  • Many tourists feel that some souvenir shops are a complete ripoff.
  • He complained that the repair bill was a total ripoff for such a minor issue.
ReusedC2Verb (past tense)

Used again or for another purpose.

Examples:

  • The company actively encourages customers to reuse their shopping bags.
  • Old glass bottles are often reused as decorative vases or storage containers.
  • The architect cleverly reused salvaged materials from the old building in the new construction.
RefiningC1Verb (gerund/present participle)

To improve something by making small changes, especially in order to make it more precise or effective.

Examples:

  • The scientist spent years refining her hypothesis through repeated experiments.
  • The chef is constantly refining his recipes to achieve the perfect flavor balance.
  • The software company is refining its new product based on user feedback.
SyrupC1Noun

A thick, sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in water, often with flavoring or fruit juice.

Examples:

  • She poured maple syrup generously over her stack of pancakes.
  • The cough syrup had a surprisingly pleasant cherry flavor.
  • Many soft drinks are made by mixing concentrated syrup with carbonated water.
PurificationC1Noun

The process of removing impurities or contaminants from something to make it pure.

Examples:

  • The purification of drinking water is a critical public health concern.
  • The gold underwent several stages of purification to achieve its high quality.
  • The new facility uses advanced methods for air purification.
ProvenanceB2Noun

The place of origin or earliest known history of something.

Examples:

  • The museum carefully traces the provenance of each ancient artifact.
  • The painting's dubious provenance raised concerns about its authenticity.
  • Knowing the provenance of ingredients is important to many consumers.