Waters
Clear American Sparkling water
33.8 fl oz/1 L
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 44
Clear American Sparkling water scores 44 out of 100 (Okay) 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 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Potassium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sparkling water
-
S.PELLEGRINO Sparkling Natural Mineral Water S.pellegrino · 500 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Carbonated Natural Mineral Water S.pellegrino · 750 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Lemon Sparkling Water Spindrift · 12 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Sparkling Water Pure La Croix · 355 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Sparkling Natural Mineral Water Sanpellegrino · 237 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Sparkling water
Ingredients
- Aspartame minus 20 points
- Potassium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
100 − 56 = 44
Can’t score above 79. Contains aspartame, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 12 OZA (360 ml)
Ingredients
- CARBONATED WATER
- CITRIC ACID
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- POTASSIUM CITRATE
- ASPARTAME (high concern)
- POTASSIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE) (moderate concern)
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- MALIC ACID
Label text, as published
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, POTASSIUM CITRATE, ASPARTAME, POTASSIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, MALIC ACID.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More waters on GoodSwap
-
Pure Life Bluetriton Brands · 500 mL Score 98 out of 100 Excellent -
Aquafina Aquafina · 20 fl oz No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Purified Water minerals added for tasted Aldi No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Natural Hydration Infused With Coconut Water Roar · 18 fl oz/532 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains sugar alcohols Score 44 out of 100 Okay -
Peach flavored sparkling water beverage, peach Clear American · 33.8 fl oz/1 L Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 44 out of 100 Okay -
Kiwi strawberry electrolyte water beverage Propel Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 57 out of 100 Okay
More from Clear American
-
Fuji apple flavored sparkling water beverage, fuji apple Clear American · 33 fl oz (1 qt 1.8 fl oz) 1 L Score 44 out of 100 Okay -
Wild cherry flavored sparkling water beverage, wild cherry Clear American · 1.8 oz Score 43 out of 100 Okay -
Strawberry Flavored Sparkling Water Beverage Clear American · 33.8 fl oz Score 44 out of 100 Okay
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
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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
-
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
-
“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