What are the ingredients in carbonated fruit drinks?

What is in a carbonated fruit drink?

Recipes differ by brand and country, but most ingredient lists follow the same pattern, in order of amount:

• Carbonated water: the base and the biggest ingredient.
• Sweetener: sugar or corn syrup in regular drinks; low or zero calorie sweeteners such as sucralose or acesulfame K in diet versions.
• Fruit juice or juice from concentrate: often only a few percent, sometimes none.
• Acids: citric acid is most common, malic acid sometimes. They add tartness.
• Flavorings: listed as natural or artificial flavors.
• Color and preservatives: for example fruit or vegetable extracts for color and potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate as preservatives.

Is there real fruit in it?

Sometimes, but not much. Some labels show a small juice percentage. In the US, the FDA rule 21 CFR 101.30 says that a drink whose name, labeling or appearance suggests it contains juice must state the percentage of juice (for example Contains 5 percent juice), whether or not it is carbonated. Juice under 1 percent is declared as less than 1 percent. A drink with only a minor amount of juice for flavoring can skip the total percentage if it is labeled with a flavor term and fruit name and does not use the word “juice” outside the ingredient list, show a fruit picture or look like juice.

How to read the label

1. Look for the juice percentage statement on the front or the information panel.
2. Read the ingredient list: the first items are the largest.
3. Check Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts panel.
4. If you avoid a sweetener or caffeine, check that line too.

Carbonated fruit drink versus sparkling juice

A sparkling juice is mostly juice with bubbles. A carbonated fruit drink is mostly water with sweetener and flavor. Compare the juice percentage to tell which one you are buying. This is general guidance; for allergies or medical diets, read the full label and ask a professional.