Hi-C Fruit Punch is made by The Coca-Cola Company and it is officially called Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch. They are sold at grocery stores as juice boxes and drink mix sticks. This beverage can also be found at restaurants like Wendy’s and Arby’s where its served through a soda fountain.
Given that Hi-C is marketed toward children, many parents want to know what their kids are drinking. This article discusses the ingredients in the various Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch products with particular attention to whether they contain Red Dye 40.
Be aware that there is a difference in ingredients related to Red Dye 40 between what is in the juice boxes, sticks, and the fountain variety of this fruit punch brand. Read on for more details!
Hi-C Fruit Punch & Red Dye 40
Red 40 is a synthetic dye that goes through an FDA certification process for every batch. FDA regulations require that it be disclosed in the list of ingredients on the product label if used in a food or beverage.
Let’s look at the ingredients of the various Hi-C Fruit Punch products to see if they contain Red Dye 40.
Juice Boxes
Juice boxes of Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch do not contain Red Dye 40. Its ingredients (see below) reflect that they are free of red dye.
Ingredients (Juice Boxes): Pure Filtered Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Pineapple And Orange Juice From Concentrate, Less Than 0.5% Of: Natural And Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid (Provides Tartness), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium.
Drink Mix Sticks
Hi-C Drink Mix Sticks are single-serve powder mixes sold in 8-packs. A mix stick is typically added to a 16.9 fl. oz. bottled water and shaken to dissolve the powder in the liquid to create the beverage.
Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch Drink Mix Sticks contain Red Dye 40.
Ingredients (Mix Sticks): Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following: Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Cellulose Gum, Pectin, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Silicate, Red 40.
Fountain
Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch which is served through a soda fountain at restaurants also contains Red Dye 40. Below are its ingredients.
Ingredients (Fountain Drink): Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), Sodium Benzoate (to protect taste), Modified Food Starch, Red 40, Glycerol Ester of Rosin.
SEE ALSO>>>Does Hi-C Have Caffeine?
Final Thoughts
In summary, Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch has Red Dye 40 in the drink mix sticks and fountain varieties. The juice boxes do not contain Red Dye 40.
However, be sure to always check the label at the store if you wish to avoid Red Dye 40. The ingredients on the label will provide the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Sources:
Hi-C.com
Arby’s Menu Ingredients
Photo by kiliweb by Open Food Facts/CC
