Beverage preparations
Great Value Kiwi Strawberry Drink Mix
0.8 oz/24 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 46
Great Value Kiwi Strawberry Drink Mix scores 46 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 9 points Salt 21.9 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. 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 drink mixes and water enhancers
-
Flash I.V. Electrolyte Drink Mix, Strawberry Kiwi Bodyarmor · 7 g Not ultra-processed · No sucralose Score 78 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Iced tea mix Nestea · 3 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Unsweetened Iced Tea Mix Lipton · 0.7 g Less salt · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 80 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Electrolyte Drink Mix LMNT Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
100% Ginger Juice Drink Mix Trader Joe's Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 98 out of 100 , 52 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Kiwi Strawberry Drink Mix
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Calcium silicate minus 1.5 points
- Silicon dioxide minus 1.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 21.9 g / 100 g minus 9 points
100 − 54 = 46
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 83.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 21.9 g |
Serving: 0.5 PACKET (3 g)
Ingredients
- CITRIC ACID
- SODIUM CITRATE
- POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
- CALCIUM SILICATE
- SILICON DIOXIDE
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3)
- VITAMIN E ACETATE
- MALTODEXTRIN
- CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5)
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6)
- CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)
Label text, as published
CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUCRALOSE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), CALCIUM SILICATE, SILICON DIOXIDE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), VITAMIN E ACETATE, MALTODEXTRIN, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VITAMIN B5), NATURAL FLAVORS, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12).
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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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
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
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
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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