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the Ryl co.™ Southern Sweet Ice Tea
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Iced teas

the Ryl co.™ Southern Sweet Ice Tea

1 pint

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains caffeine
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Why it scores 70

the Ryl co.™ Southern Sweet Ice Tea scores 70 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. 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. Emerging
  3. Allulose: An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

Better tea bags and loose tea

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

The Receipt

Southern Sweet Ice Tea

START100

Ingredients

  • Allulose
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Stevia (steviol glycosides)
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [2][3]
  • Monk fruit extract
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [2][3]
  • 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. [4][1]
subtotal−9

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. [1]
subtotal−21
TOTAL 70Good

100 − 30 = 70

GTIN 00850044667130 · 2026-07-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy1 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates1.7 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 1 can (16 fl oz)

Ingredients

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

TEA (WATER, TEA), RYL SWEETENER (ALLULOSE, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT (STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES), MONK FRUIT EXTRACT), NATURAL FLAVORS, ASCORBIC ACID, CITRIC ACID

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Aluminium

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest iced teas in the US

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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