Diet Coke Plus

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Diet Coke Plus
Brazilian Coca-Cola Light Plus
TypeDiet Cola
ManufacturerThe Coca-Cola Company
Country of origin United States
Introduced2007
Discontinued2011; 14 years ago (2011) (USA)
Related productsCoca-Cola
Diet Coke

Diet Coke Plus, also marketed as Coca-Cola Light Plus, was a formulation of Diet Coke fortified with vitamins and minerals. It was sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

The drink was first released in April 2007 in the United States.[1][2] Coca-Cola then launched it in Belgium in July 2007,[3] followed by Britain in October 2007, France, Germany and Finland in 2008.[4][5] It was also released in Brazil in January 2010.[6]

Coca-Cola Light Plus logo including the indicators of its two variants

In some markets (excluding the US) it was 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.[7][8]

FDA warning letter

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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.[9] The term "plus" is a regulated term on food and beverages.[9] 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.[9] Because Diet Coke Plus labeling does not indicate the increased amount of nutrients, it cannot use the word "plus" on its label.[9] 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.[9] The FDA required The Coca-Cola Company to detail corrective action within 15 days.[9]

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."[10]

When a food manufacturer or marketer violates federal regulations, the FDA generally will send a letter to the company.[10] While the letters themselves are not legally binding, the FDA may take the company to court if it does not take corrective action.[10] The drink was discontinued in November 2011.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Writer, Staff. "DIET COKE PLUS". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  2. ^ "Vice Is Bad for a Reason (Published 2007)". 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  3. ^ "Coca-Cola company - Coca-Cola light plus: Coca-Coca light met een extraatje". www.cocacolabelgium.be (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  4. ^ "Coca-Cola Light Plus Debuts in France and Germany – Office Jason Schulte Design". Jason Schulte Design. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  5. ^ Niemelä, Anna (2008-08-21). "Plussaa Cokiksesta". Tärkeimmät talousuutiset | Kauppalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  6. ^ Juliana Kirihata, iG São Paulo (2010-07-26). "Nova Coca light estreia com menos bebida e mesmo preço da antiga - Indústria - iG". Economia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  7. ^ "Snackspot.org.uk: Coca-Cola Diet Coke Plus (UK vs USA)". Archived from the original on 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  8. ^ "Diet Coke Plus to target health-conscious consumers - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Wagner, Roberta F. (December 10, 2008). "Warning letter". Center for Food Safety And Applied Nutrition. Food and Drug Administration. Department of Health & Human Services. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c Perrone, Matthew (December 23, 2008). "FDA warns Coca-Cola over nutritional claims". Associated Press.[dead link]
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