Zevia

Flavor:

Black Cherry

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Stevia Leaf Extract, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid

Rating: Average

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 3 out of 5 green leaves, Zevia Black Cherry offers a middle-of-the-road option for consumers seeking cleaner food choices. This beverage is a non-organic product that incorporates non-GMO ingredients, a positive aspect for those avoiding genetically modified organisms. However, it does lose marks for not being certified organic.

The inclusion of stevia leaf extract as a sweetener is a double-edged sword. While it provides a sugar-free alternative to traditional sweetened beverages, it is also the reason for a deduction in the product’s score due to the stance on added sugars. The presence of citric acid is another point of contention, contributing to the reduction in score for added sugars, despite its common use as a preservative and flavor enhancer.

The most significant concern arises with the term ‘natural flavors’. This broad and often ambiguous term leads to a substantial penalty because it may encompass a range of unspecified ingredients, which could potentially be harmful. The lack of transparency associated with ‘natural flavors’ does not align with the website’s criteria for cleaner food options.

Zevia Black Cherry thus finds itself in a balanced position. It aligns with the non-GMO preference but falls short of the organic ideal. The product avoids traditional sugars but introduces stevia, which the website’s criteria do not favor. The use of ‘natural flavors’ further impacts its standing, highlighting an area where the product could improve its composition to meet the stringent standards for cleaner, healthier food products.

This beverage represents a moderate choice within the market, catering to those who prioritize non-GMO ingredients and sugar alternatives but remaining less appealing for those seeking fully organic products and complete ingredient transparency.