Sodas
Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 25
Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade scores 25 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Aspartame: Labels must warn people with phenylketonuria (PKU) because aspartame contains phenylalanine (US and EU). Regulatory
- minus 20 points Yellow 5: In the EU and UK, foods with this color must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". Regulatory
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better lemonade
-
Passionfruit Lemonade Zero Sugar Tropicana No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 75 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Zero sugar lively lemonade Tropicana · 52 fl oz/1.62 Quart/1.53 L No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 75 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
No Sugar Added Lemonade Uncle Matt's Organic · 52 fl oz/1.62 qt/1.53 L No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 86 out of 100 , 61 points higher -
Zero Sugar Raspberry Lemonade H-E-B No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 72 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
No sugar added strawberry lemonade Uncle Matt's · 52 fl oz/1.62 qt/1.53 L No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 100 out of 100 , 75 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Zero Sugar Lemonade
Ingredients
- Aspartame minus 20 points
- Yellow 5 minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Salt 0.4 g / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 75 = 25
Can’t score above 79. Contains aspartame, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 1 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.4 g |
Serving: 355ml
Ingredients
- FILTERED WATER
- LEMON JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS)
- MODIFIED CORNSTARCH
- GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN
- SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT TASTE) (moderate concern)
- ASPARTAME (high concern)
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- YELLOW #5 (high concern)
- ADDS A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF SUGAR (high concern)
Label text, as published
FILTERED WATER, LEMON JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE** LESS THAN 0.5% OF:, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS), MODIFIED CORNSTARCH,, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT TASTE), ASPARTAME, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, YELLOW #5., **ADDS A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF SUGAR.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sodas on GoodSwap
-
Zero Ultra Monster Energy · 1 can (16 oz) Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcoholsContains caffeine Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
Strawberry Lemonade Prebiotic Soda Poppi · 355 mL / 12 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugars Score 49 out of 100 Okay -
Soda Lemon-lime Sprite · 12 fl oz (355 mL) Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 34 out of 100 Poor -
Zero Sugar Energy Drink ZOA · 12 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeineNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Red Bull The Coconut Edition Red Bull · 355 mL (12 fl oz) Contains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugarsContains caffeine Score 10 out of 100 Bad -
Bang Peach Mango Bang Energy · 16 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeine Score 49 out of 100 Okay
More from Minute Maid
-
100% Orange Juice Minute Maid · 12 oz Score 87 out of 100 Excellent -
Original Low Pulp Orange Juice Minute Maid · 59 fl oz/1.8 Quart/1.75 L Score 85 out of 100 Excellent -
Juice Box - 100% Juice Apple Juice Minute Maid · 6 fl oz Score 60 out of 100 Good -
Pure Squeezed Orange Juice Minute Maid · 59 fl oz/1.8 Quart/1.75 L Score 85 out of 100 Excellent
Sources
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.3 (aspartame)
“‘contains a source of phenylalanine’ shall appear on the label in cases where aspartame/aspartame-acesulfame salt is designated in the list of ingredients by its specific name.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released (IARC, WHO and FAO joint news release)
“Citing “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans, IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B) and JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight.”
who.int
-
Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food
“The FDA disagrees with IARC’s conclusion that these studies support classifying aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans.”
fda.gov
-
“Aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
-
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
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
legislation.gov.uk
-
“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
-
Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes
“FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”
fda.gov
-
California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition
“beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
-
21 CFR 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5
“shall specifically declare the presence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 by listing the color additive as FD&C Yellow No. 5 among the list of ingredients.”
ecfr.gov
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)
“Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”
fda.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