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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 3.3 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated beverage contains a significant amount of added sugar, which is a primary nutritional concern, especially for children. It also includes sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) as a colour, which is associated with the formation of 4-MEI, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). While the label does not state the concentration of 4-MEI, this is a relevant consideration for consumers. The caffeine content, though moderate per 100g, should be monitored, particularly for children and pregnant individuals.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High added sugar; contains IARC-classified caramel colour and caffeine
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains added sugar, which contributes to overall sugar intake, and sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) colour. This caramel colour is linked to 4-MEI, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant. These factors are most relevant to children, pregnant individuals or and those monitoring their intake of certain food additives.
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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)
LimitContains added sugar and caffeine, which should be limited or avoided due to potential health impacts and stimulant effects.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine, which should be consumed within recommended daily limits (200 mg/day for pregnant individuals).
Why the score is capped
Contains ammonia caramel colour (E150c/d) — which can generate 4-MEI during manufacture — IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); this label does not state its concentration
Rule F-CAP-10 · Source: IARC / EFSA classification of the additive
Flavours not disclosed — the label does not say which substance this is
Rule F-CAP-13
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Presence of sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) and its association with 4-MEI
Caffeine content, particularly for children and pregnant individuals
Acidity Regulator — flagged as a moderate-level concern — see the ingredient breakdown below.
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
Contains sulphite ammonia caramel (150d), which is associated with the formation of 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI). IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
High added sugar content, which contributes to overall free sugar intake. WHO advises limiting free sugars to under 10% of energy, ideally under 5%.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. Daily intake should be monitored, especially for sensitive populations.
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.
This describes the product’s packaging or its category, not a testable attribute of the food itself — so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.
The claim 'Delicious & Refreshing' is subjective and cannot be objectively verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition facts.
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 water
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2.
Sugar
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3.
Acidity RegulatorAcidity Regulator (338)
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4.
Caffeine 8.7mg/100gCaffeine (8.7 mg/100g)
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5.
Colour synthetic colourSulphite ammonia caramel (INS 150D)Colour (150d)
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6.
FlavoursFlavours (Natural Flavoring substances)
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 | 10.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 10.6 g |
| Added Sugars | 10.6 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 8.5 mg |
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 6 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Caffeine, Colour, Flavours. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Colour, Acidity Regulator.
Is Original Taste safe to eat?
Original Taste scores 3.3/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains added sugar, which contributes to overall sugar intake, and sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) colour. This caramel colour is linked to 4-MEI, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant. These factors are most relevant to children, pregnant individuals or and those monitoring their intake of certain food additives.
Why does Original Taste score 3.3/10?
Flagged in the score: Caffeine content, particularly for children and pregnant individuals. Also noted: High added sugar content. Presence of sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) and its association with 4-MEI.
Who should avoid Original Taste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar intake; Sensitive to caffeine; Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Pregnant or breastfeeding; Children and young children.
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?
10.6 g of total sugar per 100 ml. The label declares 10.6 g of that as added sugar per 100 ml.
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 1 claim against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Delicious & Refreshing" — 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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