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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Ice sparkling water
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Sweetened beverages

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Ice sparkling water

17 fl oz/503 mL

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains caffeine
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 53

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Ice sparkling water scores 53 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Potassium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
  3. 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

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Ice sparkling water

START100

Ingredients

  • Potassium benzoate
    Strong Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. [1]
  • Sucralose
    Strong 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. [2][3][4][5][6]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [7][8]
  • Calcium disodium EDTA
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
  • Gum arabic (acacia)
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
  • Glycerol ester of rosin (ester gum)
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
subtotal−22

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [8]
  • 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavoring, non-nutritive sweetener, sequestrant and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [8]
subtotal−25.5
TOTAL 53Okay

100 − 47.5 = 52.5 → 53

GTIN 00078742125770 · 2023-11-16

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy1 kcal
Fat0 g
Carbohydrates0.2 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 8 OZA (240 ml)

Recipe changed

  • Synthetic dyes removed

Compared with an older list (Open Food Facts). The current list is from October 2023.

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

CARBONATED WATER, NATURAL FLAVOR, MALIC ACID, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), BLACKBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVES), SUCRALOSE, GREEN TEA EXTRACT, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, NIACINAMIDE (NIACIN), GUM ACACIA, CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3), D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (PANTOTHENIC ACID), ESTER GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), BIOTIN, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12).

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest sweetened beverages in the US

More from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Sources

  1. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst

    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · May 1993 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance

    Cell · September 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”

    doi.org

  3. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B · Aug 18, 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”

    doi.org

  4. EFSA finds sucralose safe when used as currently authorised; cannot confirm safety of extending its use

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 17, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  5. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “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

  6. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  7. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  8. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  10. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  11. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.”

    fda.gov

  12. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”

    eur-lex.europa.eu