A new scientific study of soft drinks and energy drinks sold in Morocco has found discrepancies between laboratory analyses and some information displayed on product labels, including simple sugars detected in beverages marketed as sugar-free.
The study, published this month in the journal Scientific African, analyzed 46 beverages sold in Morocco and surveyed 412 students in health-related fields.
Researchers examined six substances: acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sodium saccharin, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and caffeine.
They used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography to measure concentrations of additives and infrared spectroscopy to detect sugars and organic acids, allowing them to compare laboratory findings with information provided on product packaging.
Undeclared additives detected
Acesulfame potassium was detected in 69.5% of the samples, with the highest concentration reaching 231.6 milligrams per liter.
Researchers said the sweetener was detected in 10 products whose labels did not list it among their ingredients.
Aspartame was detected in 10.8% of the beverages tested, with a maximum concentration of 198.1 milligrams per liter. The researchers also found the substance in two products whose labels did not declare it.
The analysis also detected sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate in several beverages.
Some energy drinks contained relatively high levels of caffeine, with concentrations approaching the European reference level used by the researchers for comparison.
The researchers said the findings raise questions about the accuracy of information provided to consumers and called for stronger regulatory oversight and clearer food labeling.
Sugars found in some ‘sugar-free’ drinks
The laboratory analysis also identified simple sugars in several beverages whose packaging indicated that they were sugar-free.
In some of those samples, researchers detected up to 5.81 grams of simple sugars per 100 milliliters.
Other products that did not provide sugar information on their labels contained up to 8.51 grams per 100 milliliters, while one sample reached 15.55 grams per 100 milliliters.
The researchers described the findings as evidence of recurring labeling discrepancies among the products tested and stressed the importance of providing consumers with accurate and clear information, particularly for beverages marketed on the basis of their nutritional composition.
The findings are limited to the 46 products included in the study and cannot be generalized to all soft drinks or energy drinks sold in Morocco.
Many students do not check ingredient lists
The researchers also surveyed 412 students in health-related fields to assess their awareness of food additives and their use of information displayed on product packaging.
Some 84.5% of participants said they consumed sweetened soft drinks, while 8.3% reported regularly consuming energy drinks.
Only 61.2% of participants were able to identify aspartame, while 61.4% said they never read ingredient lists on product packaging.
The researchers called for stronger oversight of food labeling, clearer information on packaging and greater public awareness of food additives.
They said the combination of labeling discrepancies identified in some products and limited attention to ingredient lists could make it more difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about the beverages they purchase.
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