The Fanta ad

London, July 6: A television advertisement for Fanta that shows people spitting out the soft drink has been banned in Britain before 9 pm after complaints that it encouraged anti-social behaviour in children.

Hundreds of viewers complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it set a bad example.

The advertisement beamed in the country features a young couple on a beach who drink from a can of Fanta Light and spit it out.

Others follow their example.

The ASA received 272 complaints, including many from people who said it was “disgusting”.

One head-teacher objected to the advert believing that it had triggered copycat behaviour in his playground.

Coca-Cola said the young target audience would understand its “ironic” message.