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True Lemon original Lemonade
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Sodas

True Lemon original Lemonade

3 g

Poor out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in sugar
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains added sugars
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 38

True Lemon original Lemonade scores 38 out of 100 (Poor) 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 33.3 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong

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

Better drink mixes and water enhancers

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

The Receipt

original Lemonade

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Stevia (steviol glycosides)
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [4][2]
  • 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. [5][6]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. [6]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 33.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Energy 333 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
subtotal−16
TOTAL 38Poor

100 − 62 = 38

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

Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]

GTIN 00810979001188 · 2026-01-20

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy333 kcal
Fat0 g
Carbohydrates100 g
Sugars33.3 g
Added sugars33.3 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 3g

Ingredients

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

Crystallized Lemon [citric acid, lemon oil, lemon juice], Cane Sugar, Stevia Leaf Extract, Natural Flavor, Beta Carotene, Sodium Citrate.

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest sodas in the US

More from True Lemon

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  8. 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

  9. 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