Britvic ginger Beer
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
4
0 we grade moderate or higher
Counted from the label, not by quantity
Sugars per 100ml
8.50g
Medium
UK FSA front of pack threshold
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (4)
This label lists 2 sweeteners, 1 acidity regulator and 1 preservative.
E202
Potassium sorbate
Preservative
What it is. The potassium salt of sorbic acid, which stops mould and yeast growth.
Why it is used. Used in cheese, baked goods, dried fruit, wine and dressings.
What the evidence says. Widely used and long regarded as one of the gentler preservatives. EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation lowered the acceptable daily intake and noted gaps in the genotoxicity data, asking for more work, while finding no evidence of harm at the levels actually used.
Permitted with maximum levels. EFSA has asked for further data rather than restricted it.
Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E202
E950
Acesulfame K
Artificial sweetener
What it is. A calorie free intense sweetener, often blended with other sweeteners to round out taste.
Why it is used. Used in diet drinks, dairy and confectionery.
What the evidence says. Long treated as safe by regulators. Some recent research on sweeteners and the gut microbiome is ongoing, but nothing has changed the official safety position.
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake in all three regions.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E950
E951
Aspartame
Artificial sweetener
What it is. An intense sweetener around 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in tiny amounts.
Why it is used. Sweetens diet drinks, sugar free gum and low calorie desserts.
What the evidence says. In 2023 IARC listed it as possibly carcinogenic, its weakest evidence tier. At the same time the expert intake committee JECFA kept the safe daily limit unchanged, noting you would need a very high daily intake to approach it, roughly a dozen or more cans of diet drink a day for an adult. So headline scary, practically low concern for normal use.
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake. People with the condition PKU must avoid it, which is why packs carry a phenylalanine note.
Assessed against IARC, JECFA, EFSA. Full entry for E951
E330
Citric acid
Acidity regulator
What it is. A mild acid found naturally in citrus fruit, made commercially by fermentation.
Why it is used. Adds tartness, balances flavour and helps preserve. One of the most used additives in food.
What the evidence says. Safe at food levels. No credible health concern for the additive itself.
Permitted freely.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E330
Ingredients
Carbonated Water, Sugar, Flavouring (Including Ginger Root Extract), Acid (Citric Acid), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame). Contains a Source of Phenylalanine. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Ingredienser: Kolsyrat vatten, socker, arom finiklis: ingefärsrotextrakt), syra (citronsyra), konserveringsmedel (kaliumsorbat) sötningsmedel (acesulfam K, aspartam). Innehåller en källa till fenylalani Lämplig för vegetarianer och veganer. Ingredientes: aqua carbonatada, azuca, aromas (incluye extracto de raíz de jengibre), acidulante (ácido cítrico), conservante (sorbato potásico), edulcorantes (acesulfamo-K, aspartamo). Contiene una fuente de fenilalanina. Apto para vegetarianos y veganos, CAUTION: PRESSURISED CONTAINER. HANDLE WITH CARE. VARNING! TRYCKSATT BEHALLARE, HANTERA VARSAMT. ATENCION ENVASE A PRESION, MANIPULAR CON CUIDADO.
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.