Irn Bru Xtra product image with 30/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Irn Bru Xtra Safe? Ingredient Analysis

A G Barr

This page reviews Irn Bru Xtra by A G Barr as a soft drink. Its current score is 30/100, suggesting that it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.

If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Ammonium Ferric Citrate, Aspartame, Acesulfame K.

30 / 100

Low quality

Why score is 30

The composition of Irn Bru Xtra includes several synthetic additives such as aspartame and E211, indicating a highly processed product with significant quality concerns.

Main concern

Aspartame and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners, raising concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.

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

  • Contains citric acid, which acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and providing tartness.
  • Caffeine is included for its stimulating effects, appealing to consumers seeking energy.

Concerns

  • Aspartame and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners, raising concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
  • E211 (sodium benzoate) is a synthetic preservative that may pose quality concerns due to its artificial nature.
  • Sunset Yellow FCF and Ponceau 4R are artificial colors, which are associated with various health concerns.

Ingredients breakdown

The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this soft drink and why it matters.

  • Is Carbonated Water safe in this soft drink?

    Good

    Carbonated Water is used here as base. Carbonated water serves as the primary ingredient, providing the beverage's refreshing base without any quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Carbonated Water

    Read the full ingredient profile for Carbonated Water

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this soft drink?

    Good

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to provide tartness and enhance flavor, generally regarded as safe and effective in beverages.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: Acid (Citric Acid)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Caffeine safe in this soft drink?

    Medium

    Caffeine is used here as flavor. Caffeine is included for its stimulating properties, but its effects can vary among individuals, raising moderate concerns.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Caffeine

    Read the full ingredient profile for Caffeine

  • Is Ammonium Ferric Citrate safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Ammonium Ferric Citrate is used here as colorant. Ammonium ferric citrate is a synthetic colorant that may raise safety concerns due to its artificial nature.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: Ammonium Ferric Citrate

  • Is Quinine safe in this soft drink?

    Medium

    Quinine is used here as flavor. Quinine is used for its distinct flavor and bitterness, but it can have side effects in sensitive individuals.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Quinine

    Read the full ingredient profile for Quinine

  • Is Aspartame safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Aspartame is used here as sweetener. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener linked to various health concerns, raising significant quality issues in this beverage.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Sweeteners (Aspartame)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Aspartame

  • Is Acesulfame K safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Acesulfame K is used here as sweetener. Acesulfame K is another artificial sweetener that may pose health risks, contributing to the product's overall quality concerns.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Acesulfame K

    Read the full ingredient profile for Acesulfame K

  • Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate (E211) is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about its long-term safety and potential health effects.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: Preservative (E211)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Benzoate

  • Is Sunset Yellow Fcf safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Sunset Yellow Fcf is used here as colorant. Sunset Yellow FCF is an artificial colorant associated with health concerns, further indicating the product's processed nature.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: Colours (Sunset Yellow FCF)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sunset Yellow Fcf

  • Is Ponceau 4r safe in this soft drink?

    Bad

    Ponceau 4r is used here as colorant. Ponceau 4R is another artificial colorant linked to potential health risks, contributing to the product's overall quality issues.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: Ponceau 4R

    Read the full ingredient profile for Ponceau 4r

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: 3929927

More from this brand: A G Barr products in Zerotox

Similar products: soft_drink in Zerotox database

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

This product is flagged for: Aspartame and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners, raising concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.; E211 (sodium benzoate) is a synthetic preservative that may pose quality concerns due to its artificial nature.; Sunset Yellow FCF and Ponceau 4R are artificial colors, which are associated with various health concerns.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections 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.
Browse soft drink products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
A G Barr — Irn Bru Xtra has a Zerotox safety score of 30 / 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.
Our analysis notes: Contains citric acid, which acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and providing tartness.; Caffeine is included for its stimulating effects, appealing to consumers seeking energy.. See the Pros section above.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
This product scores 30 / 100 mainly because of: Aspartame and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners, raising concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.; E211 (sodium benzoate) is a synthetic preservative that may pose quality concerns due to its artificial nature.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
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.
The composition of Irn Bru Xtra includes several synthetic additives such as aspartame and E211, indicating a highly processed product with significant quality concerns. 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. See the Ingredients section above.
A G Barr — Irn Bru Xtra has a Zerotox score of 30 / 100 among soft drink products. See the full breakdown above.
Main concerns for this product: Aspartame and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners, raising concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.; E211 (sodium benzoate) is a synthetic preservative that may pose quality concerns due to its artificial nature.. See the full list above.