Coca-Cola Original Taste (Yellow Cap, Kosher for Passover)
At a glance
Summary
Coca-Cola Yellow Cap (Kosher for Passover) scores 5/100. The only difference from regular Coke is that cane sugar (sucrose) replaces high-fructose corn syrup, removing the GMO-corn / glyphosate-residue concern and slightly improving the metabolic profile. Everything else is identical: still 39 g of added sugar per 12 oz, still Class IV caramel color, still phosphoric acid (linked to reduced bone density and severe enamel erosion at pH ~2.5), still the proprietary 'Merchandise 7X' natural-flavor blend, still added caffeine. Removing HFCS is a marginal improvement, not a health upgrade — sugary-drink consumption at this dose remains causally linked to type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Owned by The Coca-Cola Company.
Key ingredients 6
Sugar (Sucrose / Cane Sugar)Very Bad
Cane sugar replaces high-fructose corn syrup in the Kosher-for-Passover formulation, but the dose is unchanged: 39 g of added sugar per 12 oz — well above the WHO daily limit of 25 g in a single serving. Sucrose is metabolically marginally less liver-damaging than HFCS but still drives type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, obesity, and dental caries (Malik et al. 2010 meta-analysis). Removing HFCS is a marginal improvement, not a health upgrade.
See more about Sugar (Sucrose / Cane Sugar) →Caramel Color (Class IV)Very Bad
Ammonia-sulfite process caramel coloring containing 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), classified by California Proposition 65 as a known carcinogen and listed by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Identical to the regular Coke formulation.
See more about Caramel Color (Class IV) →Phosphoric AcidBad
Industrial acidulant that gives cola its signature tang. Independently associated with reduced bone mineral density and higher osteoporosis risk in long-term observational studies (Tucker et al. 2006); also one of the most enamel-erosive compounds in any common beverage (pH ≈ 2.5).
See more about Phosphoric Acid →Natural FlavorsBad
The proprietary 'Merchandise 7X' Coca-Cola flavor blend. Hidden under the FDA 'natural flavor' loophole, the exact formulation is a trade secret; can include synthetic aroma compounds, propylene glycol carriers, and phthalate plasticizers with zero consumer disclosure.
See more about Natural Flavors →Carbonated WaterNeutral
Water with dissolved CO2. Carbonation itself is not a health concern, but as the delivery vehicle for the rest of the formula it doesn't offset any of the harms below.
See more about Carbonated Water →CaffeineNeutral
Caffeine is never penalized under doctrine; neutral as an isolated ingredient.
See more about Caffeine →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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