Pepsi

Flavor:

Pepsi Real Sugar

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Sugar, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Caffeine, Natural Flavor

Rating: Not Clean

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, Pepsi Real Sugar falls short of the clean eating standards set by our website. This beverage, while marketed as a nostalgic throwback to classic soda formulations, does not align with the principles of healthier, cleaner food options.

The product is not organic, a significant drawback for consumers seeking natural and environmentally friendly options. The absence of organic certification means the ingredients may be subject to pesticides and other chemicals typically avoided in organic farming. Additionally, the beverage contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The presence of GMOs is a concern for many individuals who prefer foods that have not been genetically altered, a preference often based on environmental and health considerations.

Sugar, listed as one of the primary ingredients, contributes to the negative scoring of Pepsi Real Sugar. Added sugars are associated with various health issues, including obesity and diabetes, and are therefore a red flag for any product aspiring to be a cleaner food option.

Furthermore, the inclusion of additives like natural flavor and caramel color amplifies the product’s distance from a clean label. While ‘natural flavor’ may seem innocuous, this term can encompass a wide range of substances, not all of which are transparent to the consumer. Caramel color, particularly, has been flagged as a potential health concern. Although used widely in the food industry to achieve a certain aesthetic, the process of creating this colorant can lead to the formation of contaminants, which may pose health risks.

The presence of known and potentially harmful additives underscores the need for a reformulation of this product. Without the removal of these ingredients and a shift towards organic, non-GMO components, Pepsi Real Sugar remains a beverage that is out of step with the values of clean and healthy eating. Consumers seeking cleaner food options would be advised to consider alternative beverages that better align with these principles.