Red BullEnergy & Sports Drinks#23 of 23 in categoryRating 1.3/5

Red Bull Plus Zero Sugar Drink

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains Tartrazine

Green flags

  • Green flag: Low sodium

Ingredients, decoded

17 listed
  • Taurine (1000mg)
  • D-glucuronolactone (400mg)
  • Caffeine (80mg)
  • Inositol (50mg)
  • Lysine (50mg)
  • Choline bitartrate (50mg)
  • Vitamin B3 (30mg)
  • Dexpanthenol (7mg)
  • Vitamin B6 (6mg)
  • Vitamin B12 (7mcg)
  • Citric acid
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Colouring (E102, E124)
  • Emulsifier (E415)
  • Flavouring substance
  • Maltitol syrup
  • Acesulfame-K and Sucralose as artificial sweeteners
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

LPack claim not backed upNutrition per 100 ml
ENutritionEIngredients4Risk
Energy28.5 kcal
Protein0.4 g
Carbohydrates6.7 g
Total sugars0 g
Dietary fibre0 g
Total fat0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Sodium110 mg
Niacin13.1 mg
Dexpanthenol2.8 mg
Vitamin B62.5 mg
Vitamin B122.9 µg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Zero-sugar energy drink with 80 mg caffeine and two dyes

Red Bull Plus Zero Sugar Drink is a 250 ml can with carbonated water, sweeteners, caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and dexpanthenol, with two synthetic colours and xanthan gum. The panel is printed per 100 ml.

CleanPlate scores it [R][L]EE4. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 ml. Added vitamins earn no credit in this product type. The E for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients, with additives that cost points: sucralose, acesulfame potassium, flavouring and tartrazine. A red flag (Southampton Six x2) cuts the score by 30%. The [L] marks a hollow label promise: the claim "ZERO SUGAR" does not hold: a free-sugar ingredient is listed: syrup. The 4 for risk comes mainly from sodium (110 mg per 100 ml). The caffeine statement sets a floor of 4 on this axis.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • Product name

    “Zero Sugar”

    Misleading

    Maltitol syrup is in the list, a sugar alcohol the scoring counts as free sugar; the panel prints no sugar, so the claim rests on the panel.

How EE4 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 ml.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
E

Very low nutrient density

Protein
0.4 g
Fibre
0 g
Vitamins and minerals
4 declared
Energy
29 kcal

Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
E

Severe ingredient concerns

Base
Taurine
Sweeteners
Maltitol syrup, Acesulfame-K and...
Additives
3
Flagged
Tartrazine
Artificial flavour or colour
Yes

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Total sugar
0 g
Sodium
110 mg

Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.

[R] Contains an ingredient on our red-flag list (such as a partially hydrogenated oil or a flagged synthetic dye), which cuts the ingredient grade.

[L] The name or pack claims promise more than the ingredient list delivers. See Claims vs reality.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Taurine, caffeine, inositol, lysine, choline, B vitamins, dexpanthenol, citric acid, sodium benzoate, two synthetic colours (E102, E124), E415, flavouring, maltitol syrup, and sucralose and acesulfame-K.

Per 100 ml: 28.5 kcal, 0 g fat, 0 g sugar, 0 g fibre, 0.4 g protein, 110 mg sodium. The panel has no added-sugar line; the caffeine is in the list at 80 mg per can, not in the panel.

Ingredients to watch

  • Synthetic coloursConcern

    Tartrazine and Ponceau 4R are listed (multiple-dye red flag, x0.7).

  • Maltitol syrupConcern

    A sugar alcohol syrup is listed against a zero sugar claim.

  • CaffeineWorth watching

    80 mg per can.

  • SweetenersWorth watching

    Sucralose and acesulfame potassium are listed.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Zero sugar means zero sugar"

A syrup in the list is free sugar, so the claim needs checking.

Myth: "Plus means extra energy"

Plus means added B vitamins; the caffeine is what gives the lift.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsRarely
  • ChildrenRarely
  • Diabetes or prediabetesLimit strictly

Smarter ways to eat it

Check the list for syrup

A syrup on a zero sugar can is worth knowing about.

Water and a coffee

The same caffeine comes with no dyes or sweeteners.

Common questions

Is Red Bull Plus Zero Sugar Drink healthy?

Red Bull Plus Zero Sugar Drink scores EE4 (Very Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it one of the weakest products we've rated and worth swapping out. The main concerns are: Contains Tartrazine. On the plus side: Low sodium.

What does the EE4 score mean?

The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (E) grades ingredient and label integrity: severe ingredient concerns. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Which ingredients in Red Bull Plus Zero Sugar Drink should I watch?

Colouring (E102, E124) (Tartrazine).

Last reviewed October 17, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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