GMO Sodas

Every one of these soft drinks includes high fructose corn syrup (one of the most common GMO ingredients) or just plain “sugar,” which is sourced from genetically modified sugar beets.

Coca Cola Company

Blue Sky Soda (some are organic, some are not)
Coca Cola
Sprite
Cherry Coke
Fanta Exotic
Barq’s Root Beer
Minute Maid Orange
Minute Maid Grape
Surge
Ultra

PepsiCo

Pepsi
Slice
Wild Cherry Pepsi
Mug Root Beer
Mountain Dew

Cadbury/Schweppes

7-Up
Dr. Pepper
Crush
A & W Root Beer
Sunkist Orange
Schweppes Ginger Ale

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95 thoughts on “GMO Sodas”

    • Yes. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is not organic… it comes from GMO corn. Coca-Cola and Pepsi switched to using HFCS instead of sugar in the U.S. and Canada in 1984 because it was far cheaper for them (however they still use sugar in other nations, where GMOs are either banned or labeled).

      Coca cola *does* produce a sugar/sucrose-based version of their soda (often around Passover, for Jews who are restricted by custom from eating corn during this time) — it can be identified by its yellow cap.

      But even when you choose soda made with sugar, please remember: the vast majority of the sugar in this country ALSO comes from GMO sugar beets.

      Just say no to soda, unless it’s organic!

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        • Try looking for blood orange soda at an organic store, like Trader Joe. I’m sure they will have it wherever you are. You’ll probably like it.

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      • Do you know of a GMO free fountain soda? I am working on launching a 100% sugar cane soda line in Bag-in-box. I’ve decided on sugar cane vs beet sugar to avoid the GMO’s even though costs are higher, I’ve seen many GMO free, sugar cane sodas, but only in bottles & cans. Just wondering if I have missed a brand that is out in the market.

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      • pepsi does make (throwbacks) made with real sugar. Is their anything suspicious about these?, that i should know of? My family loves the throwback Mt. Dews and yes their is a definite difference in taste and the way it affects me. I find that i spasm after ingesting HFCS eyes twitch fuzziness of mind etc I hate that crap!

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        • Yes, the “real sugar” used in throwback products in the US by PepsiCo comes from genetically modified sugar beets. If you’re looking for a soda that uses 100% cane sugar, consider Blue Sky Cola or Hansen’s Cola. One can usually be found in your local health store but otherwise they can be ordered online from Amazon. Any time a product says it uses “real sugar” check the ingredients list, if it doesn’t specify cane sugar and it’s not organic or Non-GMO Project Verified then it’s most likely sourced from GMO sugar beets.

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          • Being owned by Coca-Cola doesn’t mean it is suddenly GMO, not sure what the point you’re making is. That said, you can still buy Jones Soda or Boylan’s to have an independent soda using cane sugar. However Blue Sky now has a line of 100% cane sugar sodas in the US, previously they used a mixture of beet sugar and cane sugar. Their 100% Cane Sugar options will be GMO-free and their Organic Cola is of course also GMO-free.

            I use Boylan’s, the Blue Sky stuff isn’t fizzy enough. Boylan’s reminds me of what cola tasted like when I was a kid. Jones is my 2nd choice, Blue Sky third.

          • Why did you add Blue Sky when the header says “Every one of these soft drinks includes high fructose corn syrup (one of the most common GMO ingredients) or just plain “sugar,” which is sourced from genetically modified sugar beets.”

            Blue Sky now uses 100% cane sugar, there is no genetically modified cane sugar on the market. Yes, they (and Hansen’s) were bought by Coca-Cola, but they didn’t suddenly change the recipe. In fact Blue Sky in the US is better than it was before if you’re looking for Non-GMO, given it used to use a mixture of beet sugar and cane sugar.

            Blue SKy should not be on the list.

            Here’s a case of Blue Sky Cola on Amazon, note the new can design that specifies “Cane Sugar” – https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sky-Cane-Sugar-Ounce/dp/B01INR9J3U

    • This is all important information without a doubt.

      I want to go for a walk outside, but as look up, the sky is covered in chemtrails. What damage is being done when we breathe these chemicals that begin with one trail, and fan out into milky looking clouds that cover the entire sky? I have noticed this happening for days now. Are they harmful? What about my kids playing outside? Just wondering?

      Reply ↓

      • Here’s an informative website regards chemtrails, aka geoengineering, http://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/. And not only are we having to deal with the air we breathe because of geoengineering but micro and radio waves, aka electromagnetic frequencies, http://www.emwatch.com/, that are polluting our bodies. There’s no getting away from it either. Everyone is subjected to EMFs and a great number of people have become very sick because of them. That’s my understanding of what’s happening. I know this reply got way off topic but seemed a good place to share!

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  2. I had a sandwich today tuna with pickles with miricle whip and I noticed that the bread had hfcs the pickles also hfcs the mircle whip hfcs and the soda hfcs They say hfcs is okay in moderation but it is in everything I look at lately I cant believe it, and what your telling me is these hfcs are gmo’s what should I do any information would be greatly appriciated

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  3. I forgot to mention that my mom gave me a list about fish and the amount of mercury different fish have, some have more than others, tuna is one of the highest—you know conciencious shopping is one thing but I can’t believe what is happening to our food, sometimes I feel its hopeless because all I hear is destruction of natural resources, your food, animals and anything man gets a hold of seems to be destroyed,poisoned preverted anyway i cant believe whats been going on with food
    its like a nightmare or some sci fi movie you want to get out but cant ,mercury in fish whats going on?

    Reply ↓

    • Mercury in fish – There is a Japanese current of warm water that comes near the United States coast every year. I lived in Westport Washington for most of my life and worked on many commercial fishing boats. The Albacore tuna that would come to the edge of this warm water current, were the fish we would catch. They would average about 20.0 lbs. and some as big as 40.0 lbs. The amount of mercury is these tuna are very low by comparison of the larger,older tuna caught off the coast of Japan (which is what is sold in supermarkets.. – Starkist. etc.)

      From some of the Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists and scientists that would come out on observation trips, had informed us that a person would have to eat about 2000-3000 lbs tuna to become sick from the mercury. How the fish are handled at the moment of death, also determines the amount of mercury that is left in their meat. I can’t say I know how the Japanese commercial tuna fishermen handle their catch. But I would urge you to buy tuna from a commercial tuna fisherman at dockside in westport washington. I know thats a far shot for most people. But they are by far the safest, and have the lowest amounts of mercury than any other fish. Mercury travels through the blood stream, and most commercial (supermarket distributed) fish, are not bled out properly, if at all. When the fish dies with the blood still in its veins, it essentially rots. Properly handled fishes are bled out immediately and then chilled slowly, after about 30 minutes of a chill bath, they are put into either ice bins to be frozen, or Subfreezing salted ice water, roughly 28 degree (f). They are not frozen throughout the entirety of the fish, the meat is chilled rather. The product is amazing, and makes the stuff you buy in a supermarket, more like Cat food.

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      • WHAT mercury in fish!! I grew up in the 80s when it was a big news story, I then was disgusted with all the BS about how reg light bulbs are going to kill us all and we need to switch to florescent bulbs ONLY to find our much to my surprise that they all had Mercury in them, We now go from the frying pan to fire Mercury is bad stuff. But at least we can cool the word cool for the coming ICE age (ya that was big news it the 80s as well)

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    • Theres more mercury in your tap water from ‘runoff’, then from tons of fish. The real concern about fish, especially tunas, should be very high levels of radiation after the major Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan. I would try avoid ocean fish, especially the strong and fast swimmers, such as any tuna.   Coast to Coast AM has very informative episodes on Fukushima. Heres one: https://youtu.be/9j4OU4wRZsI

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  6. Does the throwback pepsi/dew contain cane sugar, or (GMO)beet sugar?? Also, what is it going to take to require GMO labeling? Can’t some religion come in and say this is against their religion or something…

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    • They use GMO sugar beets for their “real sugar” – technically it is granulated sugar and hence real sugar, but is GMO “real” if it can’t be made by nature?

      Stick to Blue Sky Cola, they use 100% cane sugar and they also have one which is certified organic. Usually it’s around $17/case on Amazon.

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  7. Something to take seriously about GMO foods, is the testing on lab rats feed GMO foods… The results are pretty serious on rats, dramatic increases of cancer and other health related issues.

    There are old studies that were found to be nothing more than exaggerated studies whereas there are studies in regard to GMO that have some pretty scientific studies behind them to backup their reason for scare.

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    • Well….we had rats as pets for a few years..and the first group got tumors more quickly and the culprit…? We gave them more people food. Hmm….scary! Our second group did not get them as quickly as we did not give them much in the way of people food. However, we did still give them veggies…which were probably GMO veggies. So..we saw it first hand. And who knows what was in THEIR rat food!!! Poor things! But you know, think about this..people’s pets are getting diabetes….etc. and then there is this: http://gmoinside.org/15-health-problems-linked-to-monsantos-roundup-ecowatch/

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  12. Hi,

    I love the Fanta Exotic, on the bottle it says Coca Cola company, it is isn’t listed at the top with the other brands here at the page, does it mean it doesn’t have the GMO poison?

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  13. In the European Union if you’re drinking soda that is made in the EU it MUST list on the label (made from genetically engineered corn/soy/etc) if it’s been genetically modified. As long as you read the label, you’re golden. To the best of my knowledge pretty much all the products that are GMO in North America including salad dressings, cereals, soda, condiments, breads and baked goods, chips, chocolates, candy, juice, cooking oils, the list goes on and on, will NOT be GMO in Europe.

    But Monsanto are trying to change that with every chance they get so be vigilant, sign petitions, get on the e-mail notification lists of companies who fight against GMO, keep informed. Only the people will ensure the situation doesn’t get worse before it gets better.

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  18. Here’s my question. Everyone knows that sugary soft drinks, regardless of the source of that sugar, are bad for your health. That has been shown in numerous studies by reputable groups. GMOs, on the other hand, have been shown to be safe (or at least not shown to be harmful) by a large number of studies. The typical argument is that not enough studies have been done, so we don’t know whether all GMO-sourced food products are safe. Fine, let’s believe that. Why do you care if a definitely harmful product is made from a product that may or may not be harmful? Isn’t that like asking if your poisonous berries were grown organically?

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    • Absolutely valid point Dan… except for “studies proving safety.” On the surface it looks to be true… until you dig deeper to see who conducted or sponsored those “safety studies.” Studies require funding and corporations with shareholders to please are all too happy to provide it. “Agritech companies have given themselves veto power over the work of independent researchers,” – Scientific American Magazine, 2009. “Where there was a conflict of interest, 100% of the studies (41 out of 41) made a favorable GM safety finding.” – Science Direct, 2011

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      • Most of the “large number of studies” you’re eluding to are short term studies that would only indicate an immediate health threat (akin to swallowing poison) or short-term health threat (mercury consumption for example) or safety “evaluations” which are almost always industry-funded or conflicted financially. There is only ONE long-term mammallian feeding study I’m aware of and it DID show GMOs are potentially unsafe and require further study. It was pounced upon by all the usual conflicted talking heads (like Mark Lynas for example, agent of misinformation) and was pulled from the journal it was published in AFTER a former Monsanto scientist joined their scientific advisory board (FCT).

        What we DO know are the effects of sugar consumption and thus we do know how to take preventative measures to counter those effects…the best way of course is to avoid them all together but if you consumed 1/2 can of organic Blue Sky Cola (approx 20g sugar) with 1oz of rum every Friday night the effects on the environment are positive (particularly healthy carbon-absorbing soil) and the effects on the body can be countered with your eating/drinking habits at all other times. We do not know how to counter the effects of GMOs on the body because we don’t fully know what they are and we definitely cannot counter the effects on the soil of transgenic crop agriculture yet we DO know what they are thanks to for example the 30-year Farming Systems Trial at Rodale.

        For someone looking for the above example of an occasional rum/cola or similar, this article will prove a good resource.

        Where the point fails is that people who don’t drink soda at all SHOULD care about whether the farming practises that make the sodas other people are drinking puts the ability of this planet to sustain human life in jeopardy and I believe we have that answer already, yes it does. Were we to grow all crops organically we would solve the carbon issue within a year.

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    • Many of the studies were not accurate when they reported the results because they only reported the favorable results and did not report any negative ones. The FDA basically has not conducted any studies in years because well…they were bought out by the companies who make GMOs. No one is allowed to freely test them or run their own studies because well…the companies will not allow it.

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  19. It’s a very remarkable article on this site, however there many more deceptive organisations deceiving the globe for billions of dollars per year & counting. They can’t make money HONESTY. All sodas deprive your energy, attack health cells within your body, affect your liver, blood sugar etc. I class them (firms) as the world’s adversaries. Their product/s contains many dangerous chemicals etc.

    Well it’s lack of knowledge from people who consumed sodas, some may know the dangers; their choice of purchase on drinks, unaware of what harms can be done to their health, also shortening their lives in the long run. It’s a pity that the world is too conformed.

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  20. Why is it that the rest of the world is fighting against GMO CRAP! , and we cant seem to get away from it here in the U.S.! Its every freaking where!!! Here we are in the u s and all our sodas are crap!! , while the Mexicans get it the way its supposed too be!!! If we try too buy ( their ), sodas in the bottle its like 4.50 a 6 pack!! crazy! Id just like too know why it is that 3rd world countries like Mexico, enjoy GOOD sodas while WE have *^#! Im tired of this!!

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    • The only Mexican sodas made without GMOs are those explicitly stating cane sugar. Jarritos for example only states “Natural Sugar” which means it may well be a mixture of GMO sugar beets and sugar cane. In the USA you can choose Hansen’s or Blue Sky sodas, they’re owned by the same company. They use 100% cane sugar in their sugared sodas and they also have an organic cola option, sometimes you can get good sales on Amazon. You can also buy 100% cane sugared soda from Whole Foods, their in house brand comes in 2L bottles. Blue Sky Cola is currently in the process of getting Non-GMO Project Verification. I can find their 6 packs for around the same price as you’re saying you find the Mexican options for and I don’t mind paying that as I only consume usually 1 can of soda/week with an ounce or so of rum.

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    • Unless you see a USDA Organic and/or Non-GMO Project certified sticker on the container, virtually all sodas contain one or more genetically engineered ingredients… typically in the form of its sweetener, but also potentially in other additives.

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  23. Canada Dry Ginger Ale has all the same rubbish as Coke or Pepsi without the coloring. Compare the “ingredients” list to Orange Crush, or Dr. Pepper, or Sprite, notice the vast majority of what’s listed is the same?

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  24. Another concern for me with pop is citric acid. If the product doesn’t say that it’s non-GMO, then the citric acid often comes from genetically modified corn.

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  29. I would think that enough soda is sold globally every year, that the companies would listen to consumers and use real ingredients. I would happily pay an extra nickel per can to get something with cane sugar than be subjected to questionable ingredient safety. I understand that using “fake“ ingredients adds to the company profit but surely 5 cents per can is more than enough to cover the cost of using cane sugar.

    They would probably sell more and make more money plus, they would have only 1 soda formula to manufacture rather than different formulas based on where the soda is being sold. Ahh, but maybe that’s too logical…

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    • It’s not about the money. The people who own coke and pepsi have more money than they can spend. What they really want is to kill you for breathing up all their air.

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  30. I drink 7 up everyday (3 to5 bottles), because it is one drink I can tolerate. I am gluten intolerant and cannot eat or drink any kind of additives. Now you using genetic processing. PLEASE STOP. DON’T TAKE THE ONE CLEAR, GOOD SODA THAT IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE OR AT LEAST LET ME KNOW WHERE I CAN BUY THE BOTTLES WITH SUGAR. (Cannot use cans).

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  31. I have drank dr.pepper for 47 years and have recently learned it is contaminated with GMO’s. Would have quit sooner if i had known sooner. Pissed off coustomer.

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    • Try “Doctor Jones” from Jones Soda company if you can find it, it’s their version of Dr. Pepper but made with 100% cane sugar. I mean, soda ain’t great for you period but if you want the odd Dr. Pepper at least you can get one that’s very similar without the GMOs.

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  32. Ha – you can still buy Jones Soda or Boylan’s to have an independent soda using cane sugar. However Blue Sky now has a line of 100% cane sugar sodas in the US, previously they used a mixture of beet sugar and cane sugar. Their 100% Cane Sugar options will be GMO-free and their Organic Cola is of course also GMO-free.

    I use Boylan’s, the Blue Sky stuff isn’t fizzy enough. Boylan’s reminds me of what cola tasted like when I was a kid.

    Reply ↓

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