Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry — BULLSHIT
Munch or Dump rates Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry by Sparkling Ice BULLSHIT — score 0/90.
This isn't sparkling water — it's diet soda in a seltzer costume. Sucralose does the sweetening, potassium benzoate does the preserving, and a dusting of B vitamins does the health-washing. The 'black raspberry' is blackberry concentrate at under 2%, plus flavorings.
Why this verdict
- 'Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water' on the front label directly contradicts the list: artificially sweetened (sucralose), preserved (potassium benzoate), gum-stabilized — that's a soft drink, not water
- 'Black Raspberry' contains no black raspberry — it's blackberry juice concentrate at flavoring levels plus natural flavors
- The 'vitamins & antioxidants' halo is trace green tea extract and a synthetic vitamin sprinkle bolted onto a diet soda base
- 16-ingredient NOVA 4 formulation positioned on the shelf — and in the name — as seltzer
- Zero sugar is true, but only because an artificial sweetener replaced it
Ingredients (10)
- Sucralose (moderate) — Artificial sweetener; unexpected in a bakery pie and a second sweetness source.
- Potassium Benzoate (moderate) — Preservative; can form trace benzene with ascorbic acid/heat. Common but marks a processed drink.
- Blackberry Juice Concentrate (safe) — Under 2%, flavoring dose — and note it's blackberry, not the black raspberry on the label.
- Natural Flavors (safe) — Flavor compounds derived from natural sources.
- gum arabic (safe) — Natural gum used to bind seasoning to the chip.
- GREEN TEA EXTRACT (moderate) — Source of caffeine and marketing 'antioxidants.'
- citric acid (safe) — Acidity and tartness adjuster.
- Tartaric Acid (safe) — Second acidulant sharpening the fruit illusion.
- Vitamin blend (E, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12) (safe) — Synthetic vitamin sprinkle for the health halo; harmless.
- Carbonated Water (safe) — Basic component of most beverages, provides fizziness.
Healthier alternatives
- Spindrift Sparkling Water 4-Flavor Variety Pack
- Waterloo Blackberry Lemonade Sparkling Water
- bubly Blackberry Sparkling Water