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Starbucks Cold Brew Salted Caramel Cream
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Coffee drinks

Starbucks Cold Brew Salted Caramel Cream

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains caffeine
  • No additives
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Why it scores 48

Starbucks Cold Brew Salted Caramel Cream scores 48 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Sugars 6.2 g / 100 ml: Very high in sugar. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better bottled coffee drinks

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

The Receipt

Cold Brew Salted Caramel Cream

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • 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. [4][5]
subtotal−22.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [5]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Sugars 6.2 g / 100 ml
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Energy 37 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [2]
subtotal−15

Bonuses

  • No additives
    Info No food additives in the ingredient list. [5]
subtotal+3
TOTAL 48Okay

100 − 52.5 = 47.5 → 48

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

GTIN 00098100100348 · 2025-11-16

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy37 kcal
Fat0.8 g
Saturated fat0.5 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates6.8 g
Sugars6.2 g
Fiber0 g
Protein1.2 g
Salt0.1 g

Serving: 1 portion (11 fl oz)

Ingredients

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

COLD - BREWED STARBUCKS COFFEE (WATER, COFFEE), SKIM MILK, SUGAR, CREAM, NATURAL FLAVORS, SEA SALT.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest coffee drinks in the US

More from Starbucks

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. 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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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