Why is Diet Pepsi classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

Diet Pepsi is labeled NOVA 4 because it is made from industrially manufactured ingredients rather than whole foods; its formulation includes carbonated water, caramel colour (E150a), phosphoric acid (E338), aspartame, acesulfame K (E950), sodium benzoate (E211), caffeine, natural flavour, citric acid (E330) and other minor processing aids.

How does the sugar and salt content in Diet Pepsi affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

Diet Pepsi contains no sugar and only about 0.02 g of salt per 100 g, so it does not raise blood glucose levels and adds a negligible amount of sodium, making it a safer soda choice for people managing diabetes or high blood pressure compared with regular sweetened colas.

Based on the ingredients, is Diet Pepsi suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

All listed components are plant‑derived and contain no animal products, so Diet Pepsi fits vegan and keto criteria (zero carbs and sugars); it is also gluten‑free, but it is not explicitly certified halal, so consumers requiring halal assurance should check for official certification.

Pepsi • 355 ml

Diet Pepsi

Beverages

Product Insights

Diet Pepsi is a zero‑calorie diet cola that belongs to the artificially sweetened beverages family. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), offering essentially no fat, sugar or salt but containing synthetic sweeteners such as aspartame and acesulfame K, plus additives like caramel colour, phosphoric acid and sodium benzoate. While it provides virtually no calories, the presence of these artificial sweeteners and acidifiers may be a concern for consumers seeking minimally processed drinks.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 ml

Added Sugars0 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average soda (≈5.7 g sugar, 1 g fat, 1 g salt per 100 g), Diet Pepsi delivers essentially zero sugar, fat and calories, and its salt level is about 60 times lower.

Ingredients

carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, aspartame (124 mg/355, contains phenylalanine, sodium benzoate, caffeine, natural flavour, acesulfame potassium (32 mg/355 ml), citric acid, damethylpolisiloxane ingredients: eau gazeifiée, colorant caramel, acide phosphorique, aspartame (124355 contient de la phenylalanine, benzoate de sodium, cafene adome naturel, acésulfame potassium (32 mg/355 ml), acide citrique, etylpolts lozane

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.