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Koia Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Milk substitutes

Koia Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake

12 fl oz/355 mL

Bad out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains added sugars
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Why it scores 16

Koia Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake scores 16 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Agave syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong

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

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The Receipt

Chocolate Banana Plant-Based Shake

START100

Ingredients

  • Agave syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Protein blend (unspecified)
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Rice protein
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Pea protein
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Inulin (chicory root fiber)
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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][4]
  • Sunflower lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Monk fruit extract
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [6][2]
  • Locust bean gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
subtotal−49

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavoring, industrial protein, non-nutritive sweetener and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−25.5

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Sugars 1.8 g / 100 ml
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Energy 56 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [2]
subtotal−10
TOTAL 16Bad

100 − 84.5 = 15.5 → 16

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

GTIN 00854092006163 · 2026-06-21

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy56 kcal
Fat2.1 g
Saturated fat0.6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates4.1 g
Sugars1.8 g
Added sugars1.2 g
Fiber1.8 g
Protein5.3 g
Salt0.2 g

Serving: 12 # oz (340.194 g)

Ingredients

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

Blend of Almond Milk and Coconut Milk (Filtered Water, Almonds, Coconut Cream), Koia Proprietary Protein Blend (Brown Rice Protein, Pea Protein, Chickpea Protein), Banana Puree, Koia Prebiotic Fiber Blend (Agave Fiber, Chicory Root Fiber), Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract, Locust Bean Gum and Gellan Gum. Contains: Tree Nuts (Almonds, Coconuts).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Tree nuts

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest milk substitutes in the US

More from Koia

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  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. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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