Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, The Coca-Cola Company, Tiffin Sandwiches

diet coke 500ml

Barcode 54491496

Scanned 77 times by Nomi users

Yes — diet coke 500ml is ultra-processed.

Diet Coke is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations. These include caramel color/caramel colour E150d (a manufactured colouring), artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and acesulfame K, phosphoric acid as an acidulant, potassium benzoate as a preservative, and natural flavors/flavourings, which are industrially produced flavoring compounds. These ingredients place the product in the ultra-processed category according to the NOVA system.

Ingredients

9 ultra-processed markers

OK

water

Clear, flavor-neutral liquid used as the primary solvent and base in beverages and foods.
UPF

caramel color

A food coloring produced by controlled heating of carbohydrates with acids, alkalis, or ammonium compounds; used to impart brown color in many beverages and foods.
UPF

aspartame

A low-calorie artificial sweetener (dipeptide) added to foods and drinks to provide sweetness.
UPF

phosphoric acid

A clear, colorless inorganic acid used as a food acidity regulator and flavor enhancer in beverages; common in cola formulations.
UPF

potassium benzoate

A potassium salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth and maintain flavor stability.
UPF

natural flavors

Flavorings derived from natural sources used to add or enhance aroma and taste; can include essential oils, extracts, or other natural flavor compounds.
OK

citric acid

A weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, commonly used as an acidulant and preservative in foods and beverages.
OK

caffeine

A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and some foods. Commonly used as a beverage additive and in supplements.
OK

phenylalanine-containing water gazéifiée

A flavoured carbonated water containing phenylalanine (an amino acid). The overall product is a beverage ingredient; phenylalanine is the amino acid component.
UPF

caramel colour e150d

A food colourant derived from heating sugars with acids/bases; often used in beverages and confectionery. It can contain processes that may introduce contaminants and is considered a processed additive.
UPF

aspartame

A synthetic non-saccharide sweetener used to sweeten foods and beverages; widely used in diet products and sugar-free items.
UPF

acesulfame potassium

A zero-calorie artificial sweetener used to sweeten foods and beverages. Often found in diet sodas and sugar-free products.
UPF

flavourings

Flavourings are additives that are used to enhance or impart flavor to food products. They are considered ultra-processed as they are synthetic or natural substances that are typically extracted, isolated, or synthesized for their flavor properties.
OK

caffeine

A natural alkaloid stimulant found in coffee, tea, and certain plants; used as a flavoring and active ingredient in beverages and foods.

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Common questions about diet coke 500ml

Is diet coke 500ml ultra-processed?

Yes — diet coke 500ml by Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, The Coca-Cola Company, Tiffin Sandwiches is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Diet Coke is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations. These include caramel color/caramel colour E150d (a manufactured colouring), artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and acesulfame K, phosphoric acid as an acidulant, potassium benzoate as a preservative, and natural flavors/flavourings, which are industrially produced flavoring compounds. These ingredients place the product in the ultra-processed category according to the NOVA system.

Which ingredients in diet coke 500ml are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 9 ingredients in diet coke 500ml as ultra-processed markers: caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, caramel colour e150d, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, flavourings. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.