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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 3.9 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 added sugar, which contributes to its overall calorie content and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. A key concern is the presence of sulphite ammonia caramel (150d), a natural colour that can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during its manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. While the label does not state the concentration of 4-MEI, individuals concerned about such additives may wish to limit consumption. The product also contains caffeine, a stimulant, which requires caution for children and pregnant individuals. The flavouring substances are not individually disclosed, which limits full transparency regarding potential allergens or specific compounds.
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 a significant amount of added sugar, contributing to its calorie load. It also includes sulphite ammonia caramel (150d), a colour that may contain 4-methylimidazole, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. The presence of caffeine means it acts as a stimulant, and its flavouring compounds are not fully disclosed. This product is best consumed occasionally by healthy adults.
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- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
- Health and goals. Sugar, salt, protein, steady blood sugar, heart-friendly, weight.
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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. Children are more sensitive to caffeine's effects, which can include sleep disturbances, anxiety, and increased heart rate. It is advisable to avoid or strictly limit consumption.
Contains caffeine. The recommended limit for caffeine intake during pregnancy is generally 200 mg per day. High sugar intake is also a concern during pregnancy.
Contains added sugar. Excessive consumption of added sugars is linked to increased risk of dental caries, weight gain, and other health issues.
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
Colour, flavouring not disclosed — 2 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Presence of caffeine
Sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) and its potential 4-MEI content
Undisclosed specific flavouring compounds
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 →Flavouring Substances
Indian rules classify added flavours as natural, nature-identical (chemically synthesised copies of natural compounds) or artificial, and require the class to be declared. The label names the class, not the compounds, so a reader cannot see which substances make up the blend, or whether it carries something they avoid. This is information about transparency, not a finding of harm.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, flavours; FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020
Flavouring Substances: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains sulphite ammonia caramel (150d), which can generate 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during its manufacture. IARC classifies 4-MEI as Group 2B, 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. Excessive intake can lead to adverse effects, especially in children, pregnant individuals, and those sensitive to stimulants.
Contains added sugar, contributing to free sugar intake. WHO recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake, ideally under 5%.
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 claims 'Delicious & Refreshing' are subjective descriptors and cannot be objectively verified from the provided ingredient list or nutrition information.
The label provides energy per 100g (44 kcal) but does not specify the serving size in grams, so the '80 kcal per serving' claim cannot be verified.
The label states '4.4% of RDI' but does not specify what nutrient this percentage refers to, making it unverifiable.
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 RegulatorPhosphoric acid (INS 338)ACIDITY REGULATOR (338)
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4.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
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5.
Natural ColourCONTAINS PERMITTED NATURAL COLOUR (150d)
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6.
Natural Flavouring SubstancesAND ADDED FLAVOURS (NATURAL FLAVOURING 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 | 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 6 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Caffeine, Natural Colour, Natural Flavouring Substances. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Natural Colour, Natural Flavouring Substances, Acidity Regulator.
Is Original Taste safe to eat?
Original Taste scores 3.9/10 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 a significant amount of added sugar, contributing to its calorie load. It also includes sulphite ammonia caramel (150d), a colour that may contain 4-methylimidazole, which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. The presence of caffeine means it acts as a stimulant, and its flavouring compounds are not fully disclosed. This product is best consumed occasionally by healthy adults.
Why does Original Taste score 3.9/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of caffeine. Also noted: High added sugar content. Sulphite ammonia caramel (150d) and its potential 4-MEI content.
Who should avoid Original Taste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B caramel-colour additives; Sensitive to caffeine or stimulants; Pregnant or breastfeeding; Children and young adolescents; Monitoring sugar intake.
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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