Drink
Sparkling Ice Apple Cider
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 52
Sparkling Ice Apple Cider scores 52 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Potassium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sparkling water
-
Fuji Apple Sparkling Water Spindrift · 12 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Lemon Sparkling Water & Real Squeezed Fruit Spindrift · 96 fl oz/2.84 L Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Apple Chai Cider Sparkling Water Target Brands No non-nutritive sweeteners · No potassium benzoate Score 83 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Oulmes natural carbonated water Les eaux minérales d'Oulmès S.A. · 1 L Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Pink Apple & Lemon Polar No non-nutritive sweeteners · No potassium benzoate Score 83 out of 100 , 31 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Apple Cider
Ingredients
- Potassium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Calcium disodium EDTA minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
100 − 48 = 52
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 1 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 1 bottle (502.75 g)
Ingredients
- carbonated water
- natural flavors
- citric acid
- potassium benzoate (moderate concern)
- sucralose (moderate concern)
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
- calcium disodium EDTA
- vegetable juice for color
Label text, as published
carbonated water, natural flavors, citric acid, potassium benzoate, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, calcium disodium EDTA, vegetable juice for color
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More from Sparkling Ice
-
Black Raspberry Flavored Sparkling Water Sparkling Ice · 240 mL Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Classic Lemonade Flavored Sparkling Water Sparkling Ice · 17 fl oz Score 52 out of 100 Okay - Sparkling Ice Starburst Orange Flavored Sparkling Water Sparkling Ice Score 88 out of 100 Excellent
-
Lemon Lime Flavored Sparkling Water Sparkling Ice · 17 fl oz Score 60 out of 100 Good
Sources
-
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org