Lemon juice

ReaLemon 100% Lemon Juice

Name: 100% Lemon Juice
Brand: ReaLemon

15 fl oz

Excellent out of 100 High confidence

Why it scores 85

ReaLemon 100% Lemon Juice scores 85 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

minus 8 points Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
minus 7.5 points Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

100% Lemon Juice

START100

Ingredients

Sodium benzoate minus 7.5 points

Strong Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. [1][2][3]

subtotal−7.5

Processing

Processed (NOVA 3) minus 8 points

Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [4]

subtotal−8

TOTAL 85Excellent

100 − 15.5 = 84.5 → 85

Serving: 1 portion (5 ml)

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.

Label text, as published

WATER, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE AND LESS THAN 2% OF: LEMON OIL, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SODIUM METABISULFITE (PRESERVATIVES). CONTAINS SULFITES.

Contains: Sulphites

Always check the package: recipes change.

Pet 1 polyethylene terephthalate

Context only: no points in v1.

Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · May 1993 · Peer-reviewed

doi.org
Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

The Lancet · November 2007 · Peer-reviewed

“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”

doi.org
Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)

European Food Safety Authority · Oct 30, 2019 · Agency assessment

“derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”

doi.org
Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

doi.org