Red Bull Pink Addition
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Appetite control

Red Bull Pink Addition

12 oz

Score

Excellent 88 out of 100 High confidence
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains caffeine
  • Contains artificial flavors

Why it scores 88

Red Bull Pink Addition scores 88 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. minus 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
  2. minus 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
  3. minus 1 points Natural flavors: "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. Info

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

The Receipt

Pink Addition

START100

Ingredients

  • Sucralose minus 5 points
    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. [1][2][3][4][5]
  • Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 5 points
    Strong In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. [6][7][4][5]
  • Natural flavors minus 1 points
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [8][9]
  • Artificial flavors minus 0.5 points
    Strong US dietary guidelines advise limiting foods with artificial flavors. [5][10]
  • Caffeine minus 0.5 points
    Strong The FDA cites 400 mg a day as generally safe for most adults; EFSA advises no more than 200 mg a day in pregnancy. [11][12]
  • Xanthan gum minus 0.5 points
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [9]
subtotal−12.5

TOTAL 88Excellent

100 − 12.5 = 87.5 → 88


GTIN 00611269003048 · 2026-04-29

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy0 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates0.8 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0.1 g

Serving: 1 can

Ingredients

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

Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, Caffeine, Color, Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12.

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Sources

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study

    PLOS Medicine · Mar 24, 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  7. Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)

    European Food Safety Authority · Apr 30, 2025 · Agency assessment

    “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

  8. 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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  10. 21 CFR 172.515 Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Oct 9, 2017 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  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. Caffeine (EFSA topic page; Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, 2015)

    European Food Safety Authority · May 27, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “Caffeine intakes from all sources up to 200mg per day consumed throughout the day do not raise safety concerns for the foetus.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  13. 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