Appy Fizz — BULLSHIT

Munch or Dump rates Appy Fizz by Parle Agro BULLSHIT — score 0/90.

A 'Sparkling Apple Juice Drink' that is really carbonated sugar water with artificial apple flavour and no real apple juice in this formula.

Why this verdict

• Sold as an 'apple juice drink' but contains no apple juice, only artificial apple flavour
• Sugar is the top ingredient after water, making it a sugar-sweetened soda
• Caramel colour (INS 150d) and sodium benzoate preservative are pure additives
• Marketing implies fruit and health; the formula is engineered sugar water

Ingredients (9)

• Water (safe) — Bulking agent that keeps this a low-fat spread; inert.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added refined sugar; spikes blood sugar and turns a milky base into a dessert.
• Carbonating agent (INS 290, CO2) (safe) — Carbon dioxide for fizz, no health impact.
• Acidity regulators (INS 296 malic, INS 331 sodium citrate, INS 330 citric acid) (moderate) — Adjust tartness; harmless in small amounts but the acid load is rough on tooth enamel.
• Stabilizer (INS 440, pectin) (safe) — Texturizer to give body; benign.
• Food colour (INS 150d, sulphite ammonia caramel) (concerning) — Caramel colour used to fake an apple-juice look; class IV caramel can contain the contaminant 4-MEI.
• Preservative (INS 211, Sodium Benzoate) (moderate) — Shelf-life preservative that can form trace benzene when combined with the added acids.
• Antioxidant INS 300 (ascorbic acid) (safe) — Vitamin C added to protect flavour and colour; minor positive.
• Nature-identical flavouring substance (apple) (concerning) — Lab-synthesized apple flavour standing in for actual fruit; this is the 'apple' the name promises.