Poppi

Flavor:

Classic Cola

Ingredients:

Sparkling Filtered Water, Apple Juice, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Agave Inulin, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Natural Flavors, Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, Stevia, Green Tea Caffeine, Natural Tartaric Acid (From Grapes)

Rating: Not Clean

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Poppi Classic Cola presents itself as a modern twist on a traditional beverage, but its ingredients list reveals a composition that falls short of the cleanest food standards sought by health-conscious consumers. The product is not organic, which detracts significantly from its clean food credentials. While it does use non-GMO ingredients, a positive aspect, the presence of added sugars such as organic cane sugar and stevia leads to further deductions in its rating.

Organic cane sugar, despite being a natural sweetener, is still considered a harmful added sugar due to its impact on overall health. Stevia, although a non-caloric sweetener, contributes to the product’s lower score because it is an added sugar. The inclusion of natural flavors is another concern; this ambiguous term often masks the presence of various additives that may not align with the goal of consuming cleaner food options.

The product does offer some positive attributes, such as the use of sparkling filtered water and the inclusion of beneficial components like organic apple cider vinegar and green tea caffeine. However, these ingredients are overshadowed by the aforementioned drawbacks. The use of natural tartaric acid derived from grapes does not compensate for the other less desirable ingredients found within the cola.

The Poppi Classic Cola’s formulation shows that while it may be a step away from the most unhealthy options on the market, it still harbors ingredients that do not meet the standards for a truly clean and healthy product. To elevate its standing, the product would benefit from eliminating harmful added sugars, clarifying its ‘natural flavors,’ and transitioning to an entirely organic ingredient list. The current 2 out of 5 green leaves rating reflects its position as a beverage that requires significant improvement to align with the values of cleaner, healthier eating.