RadarOnline.com can reveal Margot Robbie has hit an surprising setback in her push into the celeb drinks market after UK bars balked at stocking her gin over fears it might set off shellfish allergic reactions.
The 35-year-old Barbie star launched Papa Salt gin in Australia in 2023 earlier than increasing into Britain in 2024, positioning the premium spirit as a coastal-inspired product tied to her upbringing.
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Papa Salt Faces Backlash Over Shellfish Allergen
Robbie has hit an surprising setback as UK bars decline to inventory her gin.
Created together with her husband, Tom Ackerley, and three associates, the gin incorporates botanicals, together with oyster shell, to evoke a beachside taste profile.
However a number of venues have declined to serve it, citing considerations that even hint components of mollusks might pose a critical well being threat to prospects.
Robbie mentioned on the time of the launch: “Our love of gin was born in London’s pubs and bars. Even whenever you go to nice bars, you are like, ‘Do you may have Hendrick’s? Actually, not even Hendrick’s? That is loopy.’
“So we had been like, ‘Let’s make 10,000 bottles and simply serve it at our events.'”
Her feedback have resurfaced because the model faces resistance in an already crowded celebrity-backed drinks sector.
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‘Bars Do not Wish to Take the Danger’
Venues have balked on the product over fears it might set off shellfish allergic reactions.
A London-based bar proprietor mentioned, “We already should handle an extended record of dietary necessities and allergy protocols each single day, and that is primarily round meals.
“Introducing a spirit that would doubtlessly carry shellfish-related dangers simply provides one other layer of accountability that the majority venues aren’t geared up or prepared to tackle. It isn’t merely a case of pouring a drink – it could imply employees needing to be skilled to ask the proper questions, double-check substances, and deal with considerations on the spot. For many people, that is an pointless complication when there are many different merchandise that do not include that sort of baggage.”
One other hospitality supply mentioned the difficulty has created hesitation throughout the commerce, notably given strict allergy rules.
“Even the suggestion of shellfish content material raises purple flags,” the supply mentioned. “Bars do not wish to take the chance, particularly when there are such a lot of various merchandise out there with out that complication.”
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Margot Robbie on Drink: ‘We Wished to Share it With the World’
The 35-year-old actress launched Papa Salt together with her husband and three associates.
Trade analysts mentioned the problem highlights the problem of breaking into an oversaturated market dominated by celeb manufacturers.
“There is a flood of high-profile spirits backed by actors and musicians,” one drinks advisor mentioned. “To face out, manufacturers typically lean into uncommon substances or storytelling, however that may backfire if it introduces potential liabilities.”
Robbie has beforehand spoken in regards to the private significance of the enterprise, describing it as a artistic collaboration rooted in friendship and shared experiences.
She mentioned: “I’ve had nice success and a lot enjoyable creating issues I really like with my associates – our manufacturing firm, LuckyChap, being the shining instance of that.
“Papa Salt was one other likelihood to do this. It took us 5 years to create Papa Salt, and for the primary few years, we weren’t certain if we might even find yourself promoting it publicly – for exactly that cause. In the long run, the 5 of us felt so immensely happy with what we created we needed to share it with the world.”
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Reformulation Underway Amid Retailer Warning
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The corporate confirmed the choice to take away oyster shells from the botanical combine.
Retailers together with Waitrose, Tesco, and Harvey Nichols have continued to inventory the gin with allergy warnings in place, however its uptake in bars – a key marketplace for premium spirits – has been slower than anticipated.
A U.Okay. distributor acquainted with the rollout mentioned: “There’s positively curiosity due to Margot’s profile, however venues are cautious. The allergy angle has made it a extra difficult promote than anticipated.”
In response to the considerations, the corporate behind Papa Salt has confirmed it’s reformulating the product.
In a press release, it mentioned: “In 2025 Papa Salt made the choice to take away oyster shell from the botanical combine fully, beginning first within the Australian market, with that transition as a result of be full within the U.Okay. earlier than the tip of this 12 months.”
A supply near the model mentioned the transfer is meant to reassure each venues and customers.
“They don’t seem to be abandoning the identification of the gin,” the insider mentioned. “However they acknowledge that to compete on this area, accessibility and security are simply as necessary as storytelling.”