Course:FNH200/Assignments/2022/Coca Cola

Coca-Cola is a carbonated cola type soft drink. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is the zero calorie/zero-sugar alternative. Coca-Cola is more commonly known as Coke, as well as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is known as Coke Zero or Coke Zero Sugar.

Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero

Coca-Cola, or more commonly Coke, is one of the most popular and iconic beverages in the world. Started in 1886 in Atlanta Georgia, Coca-Cola has expanded to over 250 drinks and 38 different brands across Canada. One of the variety of drink they offer is a zero-calorie/zero-sugar option called Coca-Cola Zero-Sugar. This calorie friendly drink was originally sold as Coca-Cola Zero in 2010, but in August 2017 they refreshed the recipe and name to the one we know today.

Coca-Cola Can

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Can

Ingredient lists

Ingredients List

Coca-Cola	Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Carbonated Water Sugar/Glucose-Fructose Caramel Colour Phosphoric Acid Natural Flavour Caffeine	Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame (contains phenylalanine), Potassium Benzoate, Natural Flavour, Potassium Citrate, Acesulfame-Potassium, Caffeine

Additives used in Coca-Cola

Name	Purpose
Caramel Colour	It is a colouring agent, giving the drink a brown hue.  It’s added here to give Coke its signature colour.
Phosphoric Acid	It is an acidifying agent, it prevents bacteria and growth of mold, and gives soft drinks its sharp flavour.
Natural Flavour	It contains coca leaf extract and acts as a flavouring agent.
Caffeine	It is an additive used to enhance the signature flavour of the drink. In addition, it gives an extra boost in energy for the consumers.

Additives used in Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

Name	Purpose
Aspartame	It is an added sweetener, 180-220 times sweeter than sucrose. Therefore, it’s only needed in small amounts, making it a low-calorie sweetener, adding sweetness to the drink.
Acesulfame-Potassium	It is an added sweetener, 200 times sweeter than sucrose, making it a non-caloric sweetener, contributing to the intense sweetness to the drink. It is also used in conjunction with other sweeteners, like aspartame.
Caramel Colour	It is a colouring agent, giving the drink a brown hue.  It’s added here to give Coke its signature colour.
Potassium Benzoate	It acts as a preservative, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds in the drink.
Phosphoric Acid	It is an acidifying agent, it prevents bacteria and growth of mold, and gives soft drinks its sharp flavour.
Potassium Citrate	Potassium Citrate is an extremely versatile monohydrate salt. Its uses range from a flavour enhancer, to sodium replacement. In beverages like Coke Zero Sugar, it is used to mitigate the tartness of sugar substitutes.  In regular drinks such as Coca-Cola, it is not required because there are no sugar substitutes.  Additionally, it can be used as a pH adjuster due to its alkalinity.
Caffeine	It is an additive used to enhance the signature flavour of the drink. In addition, it gives an extra boost in energy for the consumers.

Ingredient Comparison

Similarities	Differences
Have similar ingredients such as carbonated water, natural flavours, caramel flavour all used for a similar function in both drinks.	Coke Zero contains aspartame and acesulfame-potassium used as sugar substitute whereas regular coke uses regular sugar to sweeten the drink.
Caffeine is found in both drinks here because the Coca-Cola Company claims it is part of the reason for the drink’s signature flavour.  Both Coke and Coke Zero Sugar have the same amount of caffeine.	Different additives are used to help control pH levels - Coke Zero uses both potassium citrate and phosphoric acid while Coca cola only uses phosphoric acid.
	Potassium benzoate is only added in Coke Zero as a preservative. It is also added to protect the taste of the drink

Labels

Coke Zero Sugar Label:

1. Common name (Coca-Cola Zero Sugar) which provides consumers with identifying what kind of product it is.
2. The contents on the label are written in both English and French, the two official languages in Canada.
3. Net quantity (12 oz. or 355 mL) gives consumers an idea on the total amount of liquid they’ll be consuming.
4. It has a date marking at the bottom of the can - NO2822, probably indicating the best before date of November 28, 2022.
5. Country of Origin: the drink is bottled in Canada.
6. The label includes the identity of Business (MD COCA-COLA LTD.), its location (Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1L1) and its hotline number.
7. The line “USED UNDER LICENSE” beneath the business name proves its business legibility.
8. Ingredients list contains the many materials such as additives or colouring agents used to create the product. It specifies that the product contains sweeteners, which contains phenylalanine to alert individuals with PKU. It also allows people with specific dietary restrictions or allergies to check and make sure they’re able to consume it.
9. Nutrition label contains the amount of calories (0 calorie/355 mL) and information on the types of nutrients it may contain which may or may not impact your health. In this case, Coke Zero does not have a significant amount of vitamins, except for 0.1 g of protein.
10. The label indicates that a can (355 mL) contains 46 mg of acesulfame-potassium and 85 mg aspartame, so that the consumers are aware and don’t exceed their daily sweetener intake.

Common name, country of Origin, ingredient list, date markings, identity of Business as well as its legibility and its location, bilingual labelling and nutrition label all comply with the regulatory requirements.

Coca Cola Label:

1. The label consists of a common name for the product being Coca Cola. It allows consumers who are purchasing it to identify what the beverage is.
2. Contents of the Coca Cola are written in both French and English, since they are the two official languages of Canada, any Canadian buying the product should be able to understand what is written.
3. Net quantity of the beverage being 12 oz. (355 mL) tells consumers the total amount of liquid in the can.
4. It has a date marking at the bottom of the can - JA0923, probably indicating the best before date of January 09, 2023.
5. Country of Origin: the drink is bottled in Canada.
6. The label includes the identity of Business (MD COCA-COLA LTD.), its location (Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1L1) and its hotline number.
7. The line “USED UNDER LICENSE” beneath the business name proves its business legibility.
8. Ingredient list has all the additives or preservatives and ingredients used to produce the product. If a specific person has food allergies, they can scan the label to make sure it’s not in the beverage. It also clearly states that the product “contains caffeine.”
9. The additives used in the coca cola are stated in the ingredient list, phosphoric acid, potassium citrate, potassium benzoate and caramel colour.
10. The nutrition facts contain the amount of calories (140 calories/355 mL) and information that tells consumers what kinds of nutrients, amount of carbohydrates, or sugars are in the beverage. Underneath the nutrition facts, there's a small label that tells consumers the product isn't a good source for “fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.”

Common name, bilingual labeling, country of Origin, date markings, name and principal place of business, nutrition facts, list of ingredients, food additives all comply with the regulatory requirements.

References

This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.