Food
Member's Mark member Mark sports drink zero
Score
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 54
Member's Mark member Mark sports drink zero scores 54 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 7.5 points Blue 1: The FDA is working with industry to remove six petroleum-based dyes from US food by the end of 2027; California bans them in school meals from December 31, 2027. Regulatory
- minus 7.5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sports and electrolyte drinks
-
Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 100 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Gatorade Zero (fruit punch) Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 90 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Electrolyte sport water Body Armor Nutrition · 33.8 fl oz No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 98 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Sport water alkaline water Bodyarmor Super Water · 23.7 fl oz/700 mL No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 98 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Electrolyte Electrolit Zero · 21 fl oz No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 98 out of 100 , 44 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
member Mark sports drink zero
Ingredients
- Blue 1 minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Gum arabic (acacia) minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Glycerol ester of rosin (ester gum) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
100 − 46 = 54
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 bottle (340.194 g)
Ingredients
- purified water
- citric acid so citrate
- salt
- monopotassium phosphate
- gum arabic
- natural flavor sucralose
- glycerol ester of rosin
- blue 1 (moderate concern)
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
purified water, contains 2% or less of: citric acid so citrate, salt, monopotassium phosphate, gum arabic, natural flavor sucralose, glycerol ester of rosin, blue 1, acesulfame potassium
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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“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