Key Points
- UK bars hesitant to stock the gin over oyster-shell and shellfish allergy concerns
- Retailers like Waitrose, Tesco and Harvey Nichols continue selling it with allergy warnings
- Company is reformulating to remove oyster shell, aiming for UK transition completion before year-end
Why They're In The News
MARGOT Robbie’s celebrity gin brand, Papa Salt, has run into a challenge as it expands in the U.K. entertainment and lifestyle space.
The premium spirit, which Robbie launched with husband Tom Ackerley and friends, drew attention for its coastal-inspired flavour profile and use of oyster shell in its botanical mix.
However, some U.K. bars have reportedly hesitated to stock the gin over concerns about possible shellfish allergy risks.
Papa Salt first launched in Australia in 2023 before expanding to Britain in 2024. Robbie previously described the brand as a passion project inspired by her love of gin and her beachside upbringing.
But in a crowded celebrity drinks market, the ingredient choice appears to have complicated the rollout for some venues, especially those already managing strict food and drink allergy protocols.
Retailers including Waitrose, Tesco, and Harvey Nichols have continued to carry the product with allergy warnings, though bar adoption has reportedly been slower.
In response, the company confirmed it is reformulating the gin and removing oyster shell from the recipe, with the transition already underway and expected to be completed in the U.K. before the end of the year.
A bar owner told The Guardian newspaper: “In order to stock her gin, we would have to train all our staff to ask guests if they have a shellfish allergy when they ordered a G&T. It is simply not worth the time or the risk.’
A restaurant manager told them: “We are dealing with enough at the moment, it is a tough time for restaurants, we don’t want to have to ask people if they are allergic to molluscs when they order a gin.”
The move suggests Papa Salt is adapting quickly as it competes in the booming celeb-backed spirits business.
While the setback is a notable one, the brand appears focused on making the product more accessible to both venues and consumers.
Why This Matters
This matters because allergy concerns over oyster shell have hindered bar adoption of Margot Robbie’s Papa Salt gin, forcing a reformulation that underscores how ingredient choices can affect distribution, consumer safety, and the viability of celebrity-backed brands.
