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Ghost Energy Drink Swedish Fish Flavor
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Energy drinks

Ghost Energy Drink Swedish Fish Flavor

16 fl oz

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains caffeine
  • Contains artificial flavors
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Why it scores 63

Ghost Energy Drink Swedish Fish Flavor scores 63 out of 100 (Good) 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. 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. 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: flavoring, humectant and non-nutritive sweetener. Emerging

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

The Receipt

Energy Drink Swedish Fish Flavor

START100

Ingredients

  • Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
    Strong In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. [1][2][3][4]
  • Natural and artificial flavors
    Strong The label does not disclose which flavoring substances are used. [5][4]
  • Potassium sorbate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI of 11 mg/kg body weight (as sorbic acid); generally recognized as safe in the US. [6][7]
  • Glycerin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [8]
  • Caffeine
    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. [9][10]
subtotal−15.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [8]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring, humectant and non-nutritive sweetener. [8]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Energy 2 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [4]
subtotal−1
TOTAL 63Good

100 − 37.5 = 62.5 → 63

GTIN 00810028297739 · 2025-12-29

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy2 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates0.4 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 473ml

Ingredients

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

Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor Preservative, Potassium Sorbate, Tartaric Acid, Alpha-Glycerol Phosphoryl Choline, Acesulfame Potassium, Ascorbic Acid, Coffee (Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract), Niacinamide, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, Methylcobalamin, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Caffeine (from Coffee Bean).

Allergens and diets

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest energy drinks in the US

More from Ghost

Sources

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Mar 1, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”

    doi.org

  7. 21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ecfr.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  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