Artificially sweetened beverages
Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Cranberry Juice
64 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 75
Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Cranberry Juice scores 75 out of 100 (Good) 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 2.5 points Natural flavors: "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. Info
- minus 2.5 points Stevia (steviol glycosides): WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better juices and juice drinks
-
Pure cranberry juice Ocean Spray · 32 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Pure Cranberry Lakewood · 240 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Cranberry 100% Juice Simple Truth · 32 fl oz (1 qt) 946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Organic Just Cranberry Juice R.W. Knudsen · 32 fl oz/1 qt/946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 99 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Just Cranberry Juice R.W. Knudsen · 32 fl oz/1 qt/946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 97 out of 100 , 22 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Zero Sugar Cranberry Juice
Ingredients
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Energy 2 kcal / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 25.5 = 74.5 → 75
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 2 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 240 mL
Ingredients
- Filtered Water
- Cranberry Juice (water, cranberry juice concentrate)
- Natural Flavor
- Citric Acid
- Fumaric Acid
- Stevia Leaf Extract (steviol glycosides)
- Sodium Citrate
- Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C)
- Vegetable Concentrate (color)
Label text, as published
Filtered Water, Cranberry Juice (water, cranberry juice concentrate), Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Stevia Leaf Extract (steviol glycosides), Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), Vegetable Concentrate (color).
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More artificially sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
-
Prime Hydration Drink - Blue Raspberry Prime Hydration · 500 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 67 out of 100 Good -
Plant protein shake Orgain · 11 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
Twisted Elix'R Bubbl'R · 12 fl oz(355 mL) Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcoholsContains caffeine Score 55 out of 100 Okay -
Light Cranberry Ocean Spray · 64 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugars Score 29 out of 100 Poor -
Powerade Zero Mixed Berry Powerade · 28 oz Contains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
Strawberry Watermelon Hydration Drink Prime · 16.9 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay
More from Ocean Spray
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
“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