Course:FNH200/Assignments/2022/Redbull Energy Drink

Red Bull

Company slogan: "Red Bull Gives You Wings."

Image 1: Front of both Red Bull Zero Sugar and original Red Bull

Image 2: Back of Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar

Introduction

Red Bull is a vital necessity in the everyday lives of many students, athletes, and day-to-day adults. We decided to compare the original Red Bull with Red Bull Zero Sugar, both from 250 mL cans. What exactly is in Red Bull? What is changed in Red Bull Zero Sugar? Are the ingredients dramatically different? We had an amazing time searching for our answers and are excited to share our findings with you, the reader!

Image 3: Front of the original Red Bull Energy Drink

Image 4: Back of the original Red Bull Energy Drink

Image 5: Front of Red Bull Zero Sugar

Image 6: Back of Red Bull Zero Sugar

Ingredient lists

The Ingredients lists for Red Bull can be seen in Image 2 and 4. The ingredients list for Red Bull Zero Sugar can be seen in Image 2 and 6.

Ingredients List in descending order of proportion with differences underlined + bolded:

Image 7: Original Red Bull Clear Label

Image 8: Red Bull Zero Sugar Clear Label

Red Bull (250 mL)	Red Bull Zero Sugar (250 mL)
Carbonated water Sugar Glucose-fructose Citric acid Taurine Sodium bicarbonate Magnesium carbonate Caffeine Niacin Pantothenate Vitamin B6 Vitamine B12 Artificial flavour Colour	Carbonated water Citric acid Taurine Caffeine Sodium bicarbonate Magnesium carbonate Acesulfame-potassium (44mg) Sucralose (35mg) Xanthan gum Niacin Pantothenate Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Artificial flavour Flavour Colour

Ingredients List in alphabetical order with differences underlined and bolded:

Red Bull	Red Bull Zero Sugar
Artificial flavour Caffeine Carbonated water Citric Acid Colour Glucose-fructose Magnesium carbonate Niacin Pantothenate Sodium bicarbonate Sugar Taurine Vitamine B6 Vitamin B12	Acesulfame-potassium Artificial flavour Caffeine Carbonated water Citric Acid Colour Flavour Magnesium carbonate Niacin Pantothenate Sodium bicarbonate Sucralose Taurine Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Xanthan Gum

2. Fat substitutes, sugar substitutes, and/or additives used:

Fat substitutes: None were used!

Sugar substitutes: Acesulfame-potassium, Sucralose

Additives for Zero Sugar only: Xanthan Gum, Acesulfame-potassium, Sucralose

Additives for both Red Bull and Zero Sugar: Colour, Magnesium carbonate, Caffeine, Citric acid, Sodium bicarbonate

Summary of the substitutes and additives used

	Red Bull	Red Bull Zero Sugar
Fat Substitutes	No fat substitutes	No fat substitutes
Sugar Substitutes	No sugar substitutes	Acesulfame-potassium Sucralose
Additives	Colour Magnesium carbonate Caffeine Citric acid Sodium bicarbonate	Acesulfame-potassium Sucralose Xanthan Gum Colour Magnesium carbonate Caffeine Citric acid Sodium bicarbonate

3. Roles of fat substitutes, sugar substitutes, and/or additives used in terms of functional properties they contribute to product.

There are no fat substitutes in Red Bull Zero Sugar

Sugar substitutes are used to combat excessive caloric consumption which is a risk factor for obesity and other health-related problems that most developed countries are facing right now.

The Red Bull company has increased its variety of products by providing a low calorie alternative (5 calories total in a 250 mL can of Red Bull Zero Sugar) by using sugar substitutes such as Acesulfame-potassium (also known as Acesulfame-k) which is a non-caloric sweetener making it considered to be more safe for diabetic people. This allows the diabetic population to also enjoy Red Bull products by purchasing its zero sugar version. Sugar substitutes like Acesulfame-k do not contribute tooth decay, thus promoting healthier teeth when compared to drinking regular Red Bull.

Non-caloric sweeteners like Acesulfame-k can provide a synergistic effect for sweetening when combined with other sweeteners such as Sucralose, which is also present in Red Bull Zero Sugar as a non-caloric sweetener. Sucralose is a chlorinated molecule, meaning the hydroxyl (-OH) groups of sucrose molecules are replaced by chlorine, making it taste similar to sugar but it is 600 times sweeter than sucrose. Similar to Acesulfame-k, Sucralose is not metabolised in the body and as a result contributes zero calories. Sucralose also does not increase insulin levels or promote tooth decay.

In terms of additives used in the Red Bull Zero Sugar product, Xanthan Gum is included, which is a polysaccharide produced by bacteria and can be used as a thickening agent. It is also used as a suspending agent, to reduce sedimentation and maintain the same liquid composition throughout the can to maintain a stable suspension. Acesulfame-k and Sucralose are also considered additives in Red Bull Zero Sugar.

Additives which both Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar have are:

• Colour is considered an additive for both Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar in order to give them a more appetizing yellow colour. Unfortunately, the cans do not specify what colouring agents were used in the making of the liquids.
• Magnesium carbonate adjusts the pH of the drink making it act as a preservative and gives a sour taste when there is a sufficient amount of it.
• Caffeine raises energy levels for drinkers and can potentially improve exercise performance, especially in endurance events and sports requiring high-intensity activity which takes anywhere from 1 minute to 60 minutes.
• Citric acid to give a sour taste and influence the pH of the drink, making it also a preservative.
• Sodium bicarbonate also commonly known as baking soda, helps with the bubbly effect of Red Bull drinks. It also acts as a buffer to reduce acidity that is produced within muscle cells which can potentially enhance performance when exercising.

4. Comparing and contrasting the lists of the two Red Bull products and explaining the differences.

Both Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar have artificial flavouring, caffeine, carbonated water, citric acid, colour, magnesium carbonate, niacin, pantothenate, sodium bicarbonate, taurine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Regular Red Bull exclusively has Glucose-fructose and Sugar. Glucose-fructose is sucrose based on what we have learned from FNH 200. It is unclear what is meant by “Sugar” in the ingredients list, since we learned in class that “table sugar” usually refers to sucrose (fructose and glucose), which is already on the ingredients page. Even after researching this topic, it is still unclear why the label separated these as two separate ingredients. However, what is important to note is that both contribute to Red Bull’s 110 calories which increases the consumer's daily caloric intake when they drink it. This may not be the best option for people who are concerned about consuming sugars such as obese or diabetic people.

Red Bull Zero Sugar exclusively has Acesulfame-potassium, Sucralose, and Xanthan Gum. Calorie-free Acesulfame-K and Sucralose makes the Zero Sugar Red Bull only have 5 calories total which is preferred by people who give importance to calorie intake such as obese people, those who are diabetic or have high blood sugar levels. Both Sucralose and Acesulfame-K do not increase insulin levels nor promote tooth decay. Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide normally produced by bacteria which is used as a thickening agent and suspending agent in order to make the drink have a more consistent throughout, which may be used in the Zero Sugar version of Red Bull as a replacement for sugar's property to provide body and mouth feel by changing the the viscosity (or resistance to flow) of the Red Bull drink. For example, a study comparing the mouthfeel of an orange soft drink compared to diet soft drinks, where participants found that the diet soft drinks to feel different compared to regular soft drinks even with a slight change in viscosity. Red Bull Zero Sugar also has Flavour, which may be used to attempt to match the flavour profile of regular Red Bull. Since both versions of the drink have Artificial Flavour, Flavour in Red Bull Zero Sugar may be considered to be natural flavourings. Unfortunately, exactly what types of flavourings were used for both "Flavour" and "Artificial Flavour" are not specified on the cans.

Labels

1. Detailed description of the information found on the labels
   • The labels contain a list of ingredients, Nutritional Facts tables, and consumer recommendations including types of inappropriate consumers (children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, caffeine sensitive people), recommended amount of product to be consumed (2 cans max daily), and to serve the drinks chilled. They also mention that “Red Bull Energy Drink is appreciated worldwide by top athletes, students, busy professionals and travellers on long journeys.” The label also mentions the amount of calories the drinks have, and the fact that both Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar are energy drinks.
   • The Red Bull Zero Sugar drink says “Contains Acesulfame-Potassium and Sucralose” in big bold letters at the bottom of the front of the can.
   • Both cans mention that they are “Imported by Red Bull Canada Ltd 110-1128 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5”
2. Does the label information comply with the regulatory requirements?

The following label information are listed as follows from the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations which was found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

Image 9: Red Bull Expiry Dates

	Red Bull	Red Bull Zero Sugar
Bilingual labelling	Both French and English are on the label.	Both French and English are on the label.
Common name of the food	Red Bull Energy Drink	Red Bull Zero
Country of Origin	The country of origin is not mandatory for this type of product, so the country of origin is not stated. Says “Imported by Red Bull Canada Ltd 110-1128 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5,” without specifying where the cans were imported from.	The country of origin is not mandatory for this type of product, so the country of origin is not stated. Says “Imported by Red Bull Canada Ltd 110-1128 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5,” without specifying where the cans were imported from.
Date marking and storage instructions	"Best before date" on bottom of can/bottle as seen in Image 9; no storage instructions	"Best before date" on bottom of can/bottle as seen in Image 9; no storage instructions
Identity and principal place of business	Says “Imported by Red Bull Canada Ltd 110-1128 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5”	Says “Imported by Red Bull Canada Ltd 110-1128 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5”
Irradiated foods	No irradiated foods mentioned	No irradiated foods mentioned
Legibility and location	Label is printed directly on can. All of the information on the product is legible.	Label is printed directly on can. All of the information on the product is legible.
List of ingredients and allergens	Located below the nutrition facts table on the back of the can. Can be seen in Image 2, 4, and 7. No allergens mentioned.	Located below the nutrition facts table on the back of the can. Can be seen in Image 2, 6, and 8. No allergens mentioned
Nutrition facts table	The Nutrition Facts table is on the back of the can. Can be seen in Image 2, 4, and 7. The table lists the calories, the amount of fat, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and pantothenate.	The Nutrition Facts table is on the back of the can. Can be seen in Image 2, 6, and 8. The table lists the calories, the amount of fat, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and pantothenate.
Net quantity of the food	250 mL (1 can)	250 mL (1 can)
Sweeteners	No artificial sweeteners. Has sugar and glucose-fructose in the ingredients instead as seen in Image 2, 4, and 7.	Can has “Contains Acesulfame-Potassium and Sucralose” in big bold letters at the bottom of the front of the can in both French and English, and is also in the ingredients list as seen in Image 2, 6, and 8.
Nutrient content claims and diet-related health claims	"Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, fibre, vit A, vit C, calcium, or iron"	"Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, fibre, vit A, vit C, calcium, or iron"

Personal Choices

Our personal choices are a secret! Only special peoples with access to Canvas tools can look into our deep dark secret opinions regarding Red Bull and Red Bull Zero Sugar!