Cornish Rattler Cyder label withdrawn after complaint

Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm has been forced to revise the label of its Cornish Rattler Cyder after a complaint.

Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm has been forced to revise the label of its Cornish Rattler Cyder after it was found to be in breach of the Portman Group's Code.

The label featured a cartoon snake wearing sunglasses and a member of the public complained that it held "underage appeal".

The complainant likened the snake to cartoon characters the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which are popular with pre-teens.

"The snake character and the holiday themes were chosen because of the drink's name and Cornish heritage," said Portman Group chief executive David Poley. "The producer overstepped the mark with its use of cartoon imagery causing the panel to consider it irresponsible."

Healey's agreed to change the labelling without appealing. "The prominence of the snake has been much reduced on the new label," said a spokesman.

The Cornish Rattler bottle now features a beach scene with a man holding a surfboard with a faint version of the snake while the Pear Rattler bottles feature a woman in the same way.

Healey's plans to expand out of Cornwall in 2010.