Diet Coke Plus

Diet Coke Plus

A Coca-Cola Light Plus bottle.
Type Diet Cola
Manufacturer The Coca-Cola Company
Country of origin United States
Introduced 2007
Discontinued 2011
Related products Coca-Cola
Diet Coke

Diet Coke Plus (also known as Coca Cola Light Plus) was a formulation of Diet Coke fortified with vitamins and minerals. It is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

The drink was released in the United Kingdom in October 2007, available in two variants, one with vitamins B3, B12, and vitamin C, and the other containing antioxidants with added green tea and vitamin C. Although Diet Coke Plus Antioxidants is labeled as sugar free, it actually contains 0.1 grams of sugar in the green tea powder per 100ml.[1][2]

In Finland, it was released in 2009. In Brazil, this drink was released in January 2010.

Warning letter

Coca-Cola Light Plus

On December 10, 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration wrote a Warning Letter to The Coca-Cola Company that Diet Coke Plus violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.[3] The term "plus" is a regulated term on food and beverages.[3] A food may be labeled "plus" to describe its nutrients only if it contains at least 10% more of the Reference Daily Intake or Daily Reference Value compared to the usual amount.[3] Because Diet Coke Plus labeling does not indicate the increased amount of nutrients, it cannot use the word "plus" on its label.[3] Regardless, snack foods, such as carbonated soda, may never use the word "plus" because the FDA does not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods.[3] The FDA required The Coca-Cola Company to detail corrective action within 15 days.[3]

The Coca-Cola Company issued a statement saying, "This does not involve any health or safety issues, and we believe the label on Diet Coke Plus complies with FDA's policies and regulations."[4]

When a food manufacturer or marketer violates federal regulations, the FDA generally will send a letter to the company.[4] While the letters themselves are not legally binding, the FDA may take the company to court if it does not take corrective action.[4] The drink was discontinued in November 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Snackspot.org.uk: Coca-Cola Diet Coke Plus (UK vs USA)
  2. ↑ Diet Coke Plus to target health-conscious consumers - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Wagner, Roberta F. (December 10, 2008). "Warning letter" (PDF). Center for Food Safety And Applied Nutrition. Food and Drug Administration. Department of Health & Human Services.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Perrone, Matthew (December 23, 2008). "FDA warns Coca-Cola over nutritional claims". Associated Press (Google News).

External links