It boasts of being made under the sun, but some of the products used in the production of Golden Circle juice are far from fruity.

Heinz Australia, which owns Golden Circle, told Fairfax Media last week a clarifying agent derived from beef and alcohol-based flavours were used across its drinks range.

Enzymes found in pineapple stems and roots could prove key to developing alternatives to antibiotics. Credit:Eddie Jim

It was a revelation that caused outrage in sectors of the Hindu community, many of whom avoid meat and alcohol for religious reasons, and vegetarians and vegans, who do not consume animal products or by-products.

Now the iconic Queensland-born company has hit back at the claims, saying they were taken out of context.