Fruit sodas
OLIPOP Cherry Cola
12 fl oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains added sugars
- Contains caffeine
Why it scores 47
OLIPOP Cherry Cola scores 47 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener): An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, flavoring, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and non-nutritive sweetener. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sodas
-
Cherry Cola Zevia No added sugars · No fruit juice concentrate (sweetener) Score 73 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
Zero Calorie Soda - Cherry Cola Naturally Flavored Zevia · 12 fl oz/355 mL No added sugars · No fruit juice concentrate (sweetener) Score 73 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
Watermelon Lime OLIPOP Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 91 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Ultradopa Dopa Cola Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 51 points higher -
Ginger Ale Soda Spindrift Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 94 out of 100 , 47 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Cherry Cola
Ingredients
- Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener) minus 20 points
- Inulin (chicory root fiber) minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 1.4 g / 100 ml minus 3 points
- Energy 14 kcal / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 53 = 47
Can’t score above 79. Contains fruit juice concentrate (sweetener), an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 14 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.8 g |
| Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Added sugars | 1.4 g |
| Fiber | 2.5 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 1 can (355 ml)
Ingredients
- Carbonated Water
- OLISMART (Cassava Root Fiber, Chicory Root Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Nopal Cactus, Marshmallow Root, Calendula Flower, Kudzu Root) (not recognized)
- Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate
- Apple Juice Concentrate (high concern)
- Lime Juice
- Cassava Root Syrup
- Natural Cola Flavor
- Stevia Leaf
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Green Tea Caffeine
- Natural Black Cherry Flavor *Extract
Label text, as published
Carbonated Water, OLISMART (Cassava Root Fiber, Chicory Root Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Nopal Cactus*, Marshmallow Root*, Calendula Flower*, Kudzu Root*), Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Lime Juice, Cassava Root Syrup, Natural Cola Flavor, Stevia Leaf*, Himalayan Pink Salt, Green Tea Caffeine*, Natural Black Cherry Flavor *Extract
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
-
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
-
“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
-
Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
“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
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)
“‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”
eur-lex.europa.eu