Diet Cola product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Diet Cola Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Harris Teeter

Diet Cola is one of the soft drink products analyzed by Zerotox for Harris Teeter. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

The sections below explain why ingredients like Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate affect the overall evaluation.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

Diet Cola contains sodium benzoate as a preservative and aspartame as a sweetener, both of which raise quality concerns due to their synthetic nature. The presence of caramel color also indicates processing.

Main concern

Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about long-term consumption effects.

Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.

Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.

Pros

  • Carbonated water serves as a base, providing a refreshing beverage without calories.
  • Citric acid acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and contributing to the overall taste profile.
  • Natural flavoring is included, which can enhance the beverage's taste without artificial additives.

Concerns

  • Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about long-term consumption effects.
  • Aspartame is an artificial sweetener linked to health debates, particularly for individuals with phenylketonuria.
  • Caramel color is a processed ingredient that may contain contaminants, raising safety concerns.

Who should avoid this product?

This product may be less suitable for:

  • people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity

Ingredients breakdown

Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this soft drink.

How we score

Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.

Product info

Product ID: 3275498

More from this brand: Harris Teeter products in Zerotox

Similar products: soft_drink in Zerotox database

Allergens detected: phenylalanine

Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.

Frequently asked questions

We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Diet Cola contains sodium benzoate as a preservative and aspartame as a sweetener, both of which raise quality concerns due to their synthetic nature. The presence of caramel color also indicates processing. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: carbonated water, citric acid, natural flavor. See the Ingredients section above.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Harris Teeter — Diet Cola has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Browse soft drink products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
This product is flagged for: Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about long-term consumption effects.; Aspartame is an artificial sweetener linked to health debates, particularly for individuals with phenylketonuria.; Caramel color is a processed ingredient that may contain contaminants, raising safety concerns.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Zerotox scores are based on ingredients. See the full breakdown above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Our analysis notes: Carbonated water serves as a base, providing a refreshing beverage without calories.; Citric acid acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and contributing to the overall taste profile.; Natural flavoring is included, which can enhance the beverage's taste without artificial additives.. See the Pros section above.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Harris Teeter — Diet Cola has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among soft drink products. See the full breakdown above.
Browse Harris Teeter products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.

Safer alternatives from Harris Teeter

These same-brand alternatives currently score higher and may fit cautious buyers better: