Why is Ribena No Added Sugar Concentrated Blackcurrant classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The beverage is made from blackcurrant juice concentrate, water and a blend of processed ingredients such as malic and citric acids, xanthan gum (E415), flavorings, preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium bisulphite (E222), and the colour anthocyanins (E163). The use of these refined acids, stabilisers, preservatives and colourants places it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this drink affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

The product provides only 0.3 g of sugar and 0.003 g of salt per 100 ml, which is negligible compared with many soft drinks, making it a relatively safe option for individuals managing diabetes or high blood pressure, although the small amount of natural sugars from fruit concentrate should still be counted in total daily intake.

Is Ribena No Added Sugar Concentrated Blackcurrant suitable for vegan, keto, or gluten‑free diets?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based, so the drink is vegan and gluten‑free. With just 0.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml, it fits within the carbohydrate limits of a strict keto diet, although the presence of a small amount of natural fruit sugar means it is not completely sugar‑free.

Ribena • 1.5L

Ribena No Added Sugar Concentrated Blackcurrant

Beverages

Product Insights

Ribena No Added Sugar Concentrated Blackcurrant is a carbonated blackcurrant soft drink sold in a 1.5 L PET bottle and belongs to the Beverage and Sweetened beverages families. It carries a Nutri‑Score of B, a NOVA group of 4, and provides very low amounts of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars per 100 ml, while offering a modest amount of vitamin C. Despite the “no added sugar” claim, it is an ultra‑processed beverage that contains several additives such as malic and citric acids, xanthan gum, flavorings, preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium bisulphite) and the colour anthocyanins (E163).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 ml

Energy Kcal2 kcal

Fat0 g

Saturated Fat0 g

Carbohydrates0.4 g

Sugars0.3 g

Comparative Analysis

With only 0.3 g of sugar, 0 g of fat and 0.003 g of salt per 100 ml, this drink contains far less sugar, fat and salt than the average soft drink, which typically has about 15.7 g sugar, 0.73 g fat and 0.35 g salt per 100 g.

Ingredients

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84%

35%

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