Is Orange Safe? Ingredient Analysis
River
This page reviews Orange by River as a soft drink. Its current score is 45/100, suggesting that it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Cyclamates, Acesulfame K.
45 / 100
Why score is 45
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as sweeteners (acesulfame-K, sucralose) and preservatives (potassium sorbate), raising significant quality concerns. The presence of sugar and artificial colors further detracts from its safety profile.
Main concern
Contains multiple sweeteners like acesulfame-K and sucralose, which are synthetic and raise health concerns.
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 6.5% orange juice from concentrate, providing some natural flavor.
- Includes ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as an antioxidant, which can help preserve freshness.
Concerns
- Contains multiple sweeteners like acesulfame-K and sucralose, which are synthetic and raise health concerns.
- Presence of potassium sorbate as a preservative indicates a highly processed product.
- Includes artificial colorants (carotenes), which may not be desirable for health-conscious consumers.
- High sugar content contributes to potential health risks associated with excessive sugar intake.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
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 base for this soft drink, providing hydration without any health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Koolzuurhoudend water
-
Is Orange Juice From Concentrate safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Orange Juice From Concentrate is used here as flavor. Orange juice from concentrate adds natural flavor but is less nutritious than fresh juice due to processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: 6,5% sinaasappelsap uit concentraat
Read the full ingredient profile for Orange Juice From Concentrate
-
Is Sugar safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that contributes to high calorie content and potential health risks when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: suiker
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness, but it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citroenzuur
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid contributes to the tartness of the drink, but it is a synthetic ingredient with potential concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: appelzuur
-
Is Cyclamates safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Cyclamates is used here as sweetener. Cyclamates are artificial sweeteners that have been banned in some countries due to health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: cyclamaten
-
Is Acesulfame K safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Acesulfame K is used here as sweetener. Acesulfame-K is a synthetic sweetener that raises concerns regarding long-term health effects.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: acesulfaam-K
-
Is Sucralose safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Sucralose is used here as sweetener. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that may have negative health implications, particularly with long-term use.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sucralose
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: kaliumsorbaat
-
Is Ascorbic Acid safe in this soft drink?
Good
Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant that helps preserve the drink's freshness and may provide some health benefits.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: ascorbinezuur
-
Is Sodium Citrates safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Sodium Citrates is used here as buffer. Sodium citrates are used to regulate acidity but are processed ingredients with potential concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: natriumcitraten
-
Is Carrot Juice Concentrate safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Carrot Juice Concentrate is used here as colorant. Carrot juice concentrate is used for coloring and adds some nutrients, but it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: wortelsapconcentraat
Read the full ingredient profile for Carrot Juice Concentrate
-
Is Natural Orange Flavor With Other Natural Flavors safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Natural Orange Flavor With Other Natural Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural orange flavor enhances taste but may be derived from various sources, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natuurlijk sinaasappelaroma met andere natuurlijke aroma's
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural Orange Flavor With Other Natural Flavors
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this soft drink?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as stabilizer. Guar gum is a stabilizer that helps maintain texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety profiles.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: guarpitmeel
-
Is Carotenes safe in this soft drink?
Bad
Carotenes is used here as colorant. Carotenes are artificial colorants that may pose health risks and are often viewed negatively by consumers.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: kleurstof (carotenen)
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: 3859825
More from this brand: River 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.