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Brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company (United States) · about the brand
Original Taste
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 4.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This carbonated beverage is primarily a source of added sugar and caffeine. While generally safe for healthy adults in moderation, the high sugar content contributes to excess calorie intake and the caffeine content warrants caution for children, pregnant individuals, and those sensitive to stimulants. The phosphoric acid (Acidity Regulator 338) can contribute to dental erosion over time, especially with frequent consumption.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High in added sugar and caffeine; contains phosphoric acid
This carbonated soft drink contains a significant amount of added sugar, which contributes to overall calorie intake and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant that requires caution for children, pregnant women, and individuals with caffeine sensitivity. The presence of phosphoric acid can contribute to dental erosion with regular consumption.
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- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for beverage. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitHigh added sugar content should be limited in the diets of young children, for dental health and to avoid establishing a preference for very sweet foods.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine, a stimulant. Caffeine intake should be limited for children, with a recommended maximum of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Contains caffeine. Caffeine intake during pregnancy should be limited to 200 mg per day.
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Caffeine content
Potential for dental erosion from phosphoric acid
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Added Sugars
Sugars added to food, and the sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrates, are "free sugars". The WHO guideline recommends that they stay below 10% of total energy intake and suggests below 5% for additional benefit. Where the sugar sits in the ingredient list and how many grams the panel declares is what matters; this is information, because the nutrition score already prices the grams.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO, Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
Added Sugars: regulation, sources and other products →Caffeine
The EU food safety authority found that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3 mg per kg of body weight a day in children and adolescents) does not raise safety concerns, and that pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay at or below 200 mg a day. Caffeine added to a drink or supplement counts toward that total alongside coffee and tea. Energy drinks and fat-burner stacks are judged by their own caps; this record explains the substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102
Caffeine: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
High added sugar content contributes to overall calorie intake and should be consumed in moderation. Excessive intake of free sugars is linked to increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. Consumption should be limited, especially for children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and those sensitive to its effects, which can include nervousness, sleeplessness, and increased heart rate.
Phosphoric acid, used as an acidity regulator, can contribute to dental erosion over time, particularly with frequent consumption of acidic beverages.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim 'Delicious & Refreshing' is a subjective descriptor and cannot be objectively verified from the provided label information.
The label provides nutrition information per 100g, but does not specify the serving size in grams, so the kcal per serving cannot be verified.
The label does not provide information about the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for calories or any other nutrient, so this percentage cannot be verified.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Carbonated WaterCARBONATED WATER
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2.
SugarSUGAR
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3.
Acidity Regulator (338)ACIDITY REGULATOR (338)
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4.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 44 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 11 g |
| Total Sugars | 11 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other soft drink products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Original Taste?
The label of Original Taste lists 4 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator (338), Caffeine. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Acidity Regulator (338).
Is Original Taste safe to eat?
Original Taste scores 4.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This carbonated soft drink contains a significant amount of added sugar, which contributes to overall calorie intake and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant that requires caution for children, pregnant women, and individuals with caffeine sensitivity. The presence of phosphoric acid can contribute to dental erosion with regular consumption.
Why does Original Taste score 4.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Caffeine content. Also noted: High added sugar content. Potential for dental erosion from phosphoric acid.
Who should avoid Original Taste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar intake; Sensitive to caffeine; Pregnant or breastfeeding; Children and young adolescents; Concerned about dental erosion.
Is Original Taste suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
How much sugar is in Original Taste?
11 g of total sugar per 100 ml. The label does not declare added sugar separately, so we cannot say how much of it is added.
Does Original Taste contain caffeine?
Yes — the ingredient list names Caffeine, a source of caffeine. Check the pack for the amount per serving, especially when buying for children or during pregnancy.
Are the claims on the Original Taste pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 3 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Delicious & Refreshing" — can't be verified from the label. "1 SERVING = 80 kcal" — can't be verified from the label. "4.4% of RDI" — can't be verified from the label.
Is Original Taste vegetarian?
Original Taste is marked vegetarian, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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