Sweetened beverages
Gatorade Fruit Punch
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 12
Gatorade Fruit Punch scores 12 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- 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 sports and electrolyte drinks
-
Fruit Punch Sports Drink Bodyarmor · 12 fl oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 53 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
IV in a bottle- fruit punch Biolyte · 16 oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 65 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Zero Sugar Fruit Punch Bodyarmor No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 72 out of 100 , 60 points higher -
Fruit Punch Hydration Beverage Zico · 16.9 fl oz/500 mL No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 67 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Fruit Punch Powerade Zero No added sugars · No sugar Score 51 out of 100 , 39 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Fruit Punch
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Red 40 minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 5.8 g / 100 ml minus 12 points
- Energy 22 kcal / 100 ml minus 2 points
100 − 88 = 12
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][11][12][13][14]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 22 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.1 g |
| Sugars | 5.8 g |
| Added sugars | 5.8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 BOTTLE (360 ml)
Ingredients
- Water
- sugar (high concern)
- dextrose (high concern)
- citric acid
- salt
- sodium citrate
- monopotassium phosphate
- modified food starch
- natural flavor
- glycerol ester of rosin
- red 40 (high concern)
- caramel color (high concern)
Label text, as published
Water, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, modified food starch, natural flavor, glycerol ester of rosin, red 40, caramel color.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
-
Sparkling Orange Celsius · 12 fl oz (355 mL) Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeineNo synthetic dyes Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Doubleshot Energy Energy Coffee Beverage Starbucks · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Energy Drink Red Bull · 250 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains caffeineContains artificial flavors Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Thirst Quencher Orange Gatorade · 12 oz g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Fruit Punch Gatorade · 360 mL Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
It's Wonderwater Bai · 18 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains caffeine Score 52 out of 100 Okay
More from Gatorade
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
-
List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review
“The table below includes select food ingredients (including food and color additives), food contact substances, and contaminants under FDA review as of May 12, 2026 .”
fda.gov
-
Questions & Answers About 4-MEI
“Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”
fda.gov
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity
“The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”
oehha.ca.gov
-
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