Skip to content

Is there fruit in Capri Sun? The Real Juice Facts

3 min read

According to the official Kraft Heinz website, Capri Sun uses real fruit juice from concentrate in its products. However, the amount of fruit juice varies significantly depending on the specific product line, from as low as 10% in some traditional juice drinks to 100% in others.

Quick Summary

Capri Sun contains real fruit juice from concentrate, though the percentage varies across different product lines. Some varieties, like the standard juice drinks, have a low percentage, while others are 100% juice. Newer versions also feature sweeteners like monk fruit to reduce sugar content, and the company offers flavored water options with minimal juice.

Key Points

  • Low Juice Percentage: Original Capri Sun juice drinks contain a low percentage of real fruit juice, typically around 10-12%, sourced from concentrate.

  • Concentrate and Water: The bulk of the Original Capri Sun is filtered water, with fruit juice concentrate providing the flavor.

  • Variety of Sweeteners: Depending on the market and product line, Capri Sun is sweetened with sugar, naturally occurring fruit sugars, or natural-source sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.

  • No Artificial Ingredients: The brand's products are formulated without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

  • Product Line Differences: The juice percentage varies across different Capri Sun lines; some are 100% juice, while others like Roarin' Waters are mostly flavored water.

  • Label Reading is Key: Consumers should always check product labels, as the term "all-natural" doesn't equate to a high fruit juice concentration.

In This Article

Yes, But It's a Small Amount: Breaking Down the Capri Sun Ingredient List

While the claim that there is fruit in Capri Sun is technically true, the amount varies by product line. Original Capri Sun juice drinks contain real fruit juice from concentrate, typically around 10-12%. The main ingredients are water and sweeteners, with natural flavors. Using concentrate means water is removed and added back, allowing for a shelf-stable product without artificial preservatives.

The Role of Sweeteners and Flavors

Capri Sun uses various sweeteners. Some U.S. blends now use monk fruit alongside sugar to reduce sugar content. European markets have used stevia. This helps maintain flavor while addressing sugar concerns.

Different Product Lines, Different Formulations

Capri Sun offers diverse products with different formulas:

  • Original Juice Drink: About 10-12% fruit juice from concentrate, plus water, natural flavors, and sweeteners.
  • 100% Juice: Made with 100% fruit juice from concentrate and no added sugar.
  • Roarin' Waters: Flavored water with minimal fruit juice, sweetened with sugar and monk fruit extract.
  • Organic: Uses organic fruit juice from concentrate.

Capri Sun vs. 100% Juice Boxes: A Comparison

The table below compares different products. Note that figures can vary by region and flavor, so always check the label.

Feature Capri Sun Original Juice Drink Capri Sun 100% Juice Typical 100% Juice Box Capri Sun Roarin' Waters
Fruit Juice Content Approx. 10-12% (from concentrate) 100% (from concentrate) 100% (from concentrate) Very low; mostly flavored water
Added Sugar Yes, though reduced with monk fruit in the US No No (sweetness from fruit) Yes, plus monk fruit
Artificial Flavors/Preservatives No No Generally, no No
Nutritional Density Low Higher Higher Low

The Importance of Label Reading

Always read nutrition labels. Capri Sun avoids high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients, but juice concentration differs across lines. "All-natural" can be misleading. Formulas vary by market due to regulations and preferences. A 2021 study highlighted that many U.S. parents were unaware of the low juice content or non-nutritive sweeteners in some varieties.

Conclusion

Yes, there is fruit in Capri Sun, but the amount varies. Original drinks have low juice content, while 100% Juice is all juice. Roarin' Waters is primarily flavored water. Capri Sun has removed artificial additives and high fructose corn syrup, but a low juice percentage means more water, sweeteners, and flavorings than actual fruit. For more fruit, choose 100% juice or whole fruit.

For more details, visit the official Capri Sun website.

Note: Ingredients and nutrition vary by country. Check packaging for local information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Capri Sun Ingredients

Is the fruit juice in Capri Sun fresh or from concentrate?

Capri Sun uses real fruit juice from concentrate. Water is removed for shelf stability and added back during production.

How much fruit juice is in a standard Capri Sun pouch?

Standard original juice drinks typically contain about 10-12% fruit juice from concentrate.

Is Capri Sun sweetened with sugar or other sweeteners?

Sweeteners vary by product and market. U.S. lines may use sugar and monk fruit; 100% Juice uses only natural fruit sugars.

Is Capri Sun considered a healthy drink?

Capri Sun is not a health food and should be consumed in moderation. While it has real juice and no high fructose corn syrup, its sugar content and low juice percentage aren't a substitute for whole fruit or water.

Do all Capri Sun flavors have the same amount of fruit juice?

No, juice content differs significantly between lines. 100% Juice is all juice, while Roarin' Waters is mostly flavored water with minimal juice.

Why do some Capri Sun flavors taste watery?

The watery taste is likely due to the low fruit juice percentage (10-12%) in the original drinks, where water is the main ingredient.

Does Capri Sun use high fructose corn syrup?

No, U.S. Capri Sun products have not contained high fructose corn syrup since 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

Capri Sun's original and flavored varieties are considered juice drinks, as they contain a low percentage of actual fruit juice diluted with water. However, the company also offers a specific '100% Juice' line, which is a true juice.

No, Capri Sun's current formulations are made with all-natural ingredients and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

The sugar content varies by product. For instance, the Original juice drink in some markets contains about 4.4g of sugar per 100ml, while the 100% Juice line contains no added sugar, only that from the fruit itself.

Capri Sun has been on a sugar reduction journey for years to address consumer preferences for less sugar. In the U.S., they introduced monk fruit, a natural sweetener, to reduce sugar content while maintaining a good taste.

No, the fruit juice content varies significantly between different product lines. For example, the 100% Juice variety is entirely juice, while the Roarin' Waters is primarily flavored water with an even smaller amount of fruit juice.

Because Capri Sun products do not contain artificial preservatives, mold can grow if a tiny puncture or compromise in the packaging allows air to enter. The company has addressed this issue by strengthening pouches and adding a natural ingredient to prevent mold.

No, Capri Sun products in the U.S. have been formulated to not include high fructose corn syrup since 2015.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.