Understanding the Nutrition Diet: What are nanoparticles in Coca-Cola?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2017 study, fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were detected in both Coca-Cola and Pepsi, though they were not intentionally added ingredients. This finding prompts a closer look at what are nanoparticles in Coca-Cola, how they form, and the ongoing debate surrounding their presence in our food and drink. While major brands deny adding engineered nanoparticles, these microscopic byproducts raise questions about modern food processing and long-term health implications.

Quick Summary

This article explores the fluorescent nanoparticles found in Coca-Cola, explaining they are likely byproducts of processing rather than intentional additives. It examines the use of other nanoparticles like titanium dioxide in the wider soda industry and addresses the health and regulatory controversies surrounding these nanoscale materials.

Key Points

Unintentional Byproducts: Studies have detected fluorescent carbon nanoparticles in Coca-Cola, but these are a likely byproduct of the manufacturing process, not intentionally added ingredients.
Titanium Dioxide (E171): Other types of nanoparticles, like titanium dioxide, have been used as clouding agents in some sodas, but major brands are phasing them out, and the EU has banned this additive due to safety concerns.
Lack of Explicit Labeling: You won't find "nanoparticles" on an ingredient list; instead, you need to be aware of the chemical names (e.g., silicon dioxide) or E-numbers associated with these nano-materials.
Limited Long-Term Research: The long-term health effects of ingesting low-level nanoparticles from food are not well understood, and research is ongoing, with some concern about potential bioaccumulation.
Differing Regulations: Food safety regulations concerning nanomaterials differ significantly between regions like the European Union and the United States, impacting what is allowed on store shelves.
Whole Foods as a Precaution: For those concerned about potential nanoparticle exposure, a prudent dietary strategy is to focus on whole, unprocessed foods and be vigilant about reading the ingredient lists of processed items.

Nanoparticles and Modern Food Technology

Nanotechnology involves manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, and it has found widespread application in the food industry. In food science, nanoparticles are tiny particles, typically measuring between 1 and 100 nanometers, that can be used to improve products in various ways.

These uses include:

Enhancing Shelf Life: Nanocoatings and nanocomposites can create stronger, more durable, and better-sealed packaging that prevents oxygen and moisture from spoiling the food inside.
Improving Texture and Appearance: In some food products, nanoparticles like titanium dioxide were used as whitening or clouding agents to create a desired visual consistency. Silicon dioxide acts as an anti-caking agent in powdered products, keeping them free-flowing.
Delivering Nutrients: Nanocarriers can be used to encapsulate nutrients, vitamins, or flavors, improving their solubility, stability, and absorption by the body.
Detecting Contaminants: Nanosensors can be integrated into food packaging to detect pathogens, spoilage, or contaminants in real-time, improving food safety.

The Discovery of Fluorescent Nanoparticles in Coca-Cola

In 2017, a study published in the journal Nanotoxicology reported the detection of fluorescent nanoparticles in commercial samples of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Scientists were able to isolate and characterize these tiny particles, which were roughly 5 nanometers in size and composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The study was the first to report the presence of these particular foodborne nanoparticles in cola beverages.

How Do These Nanoparticles Form?

Instead of being intentionally added ingredients, the fluorescent nanoparticles discovered in the study appear to be byproducts formed during the manufacturing and processing stages. The high-speed mixing, filtering, and heating involved in producing carbonated beverages can cause larger molecules to break down into these nano-sized particles through side reactions and uncontrolled chain reactions. Coca-Cola has a long and complex supply chain, and new detection methods have allowed researchers to identify nanoparticles whose existence was previously unknown.

Intentional vs. Unintentional Nanoparticles

It is important to distinguish between nanoparticles that are intentionally added to a product for a specific purpose and those that are formed unintentionally as a byproduct of processing. While major cola brands do not claim to add engineered nanoparticles, the presence of these byproducts in their products is a distinct issue.


Feature	Intentionally Added Nanoparticles (Examples in food)	Unintentionally Formed Nanoparticles (Found in studies of Coke)
Purpose	To achieve a specific functional goal like whitening, anti-caking, or controlled release of nutrients.	A byproduct of the manufacturing process (high heat, mixing, pressure).
Composition	Defined chemical compounds like titanium dioxide (E171) or silicon dioxide (E551).	Fluorescent carbon-based particles consisting of C, H, and O.
Labeling	May be listed as approved food additives using their chemical name or E-number, though not explicitly as "nano".	Not labeled, as they are not defined ingredients but rather a result of the production process.
Regulation	Regulated as food additives, though rules differ globally. The EU has banned some, like E171.	Largely unregulated, as they are not considered intentional ingredients.

The Broader Controversy and Safety Concerns

The debate surrounding nanoparticles in food centers on potential health risks. Because of their ultra-small size, nanoparticles can behave differently within the body compared to their larger counterparts. Some studies have raised concerns that nanoparticles could be absorbed by the body more easily, accumulate in organs, and even cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier.

Long-term Effects: Experts note that long-term human studies on the effects of ingesting nanoparticles from food and beverages are limited. The potential for bioaccumulation and its consequences is not yet fully understood.
Cellular Impact: In some in-vitro studies, nanoparticles have been shown to be taken up by living cells, accumulating in the cytoplasm and cell membrane. While acute toxicity tests on mice have not shown obvious damage at tested doses, the long-term effects on human cells are still being investigated.
Varying Regulations: Regulatory bodies worldwide have different approaches to managing the risk. The European Union, for instance, has stricter rules and has banned the food additive titanium dioxide (E171) due to safety questions. In contrast, the U.S. FDA still lists some nano-ingredients as “generally recognized as safe”.

Navigating the Information for Your Diet

While the presence of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles in Coca-Cola is primarily an unintentional byproduct, the broader issue of nanoparticles in the food supply warrants awareness. For those concerned about limiting exposure, focusing on a diet rich in whole foods and avoiding excessively processed products is a sound strategy. Reading ingredient labels carefully and being aware of the additives used in a wider range of food products is also helpful. Staying informed about regulatory developments and new scientific research on nanotoxicity is key to making educated dietary choices.

Conclusion

While the search results confirm the presence of unintended, fluorescent carbon nanoparticles in Coca-Cola, these appear to be trace byproducts of the manufacturing process rather than intentionally engineered additives. The company itself does not claim to use these. However, this finding brings the broader topic of nanotechnology in the food supply into focus. Controversies exist around the intentional use of other nanoparticles like titanium dioxide in sodas, with safety concerns and regulations varying globally. As research into long-term effects continues, being a mindful consumer by reading labels and opting for less-processed foods is the most prudent approach for those concerned about this aspect of their nutrition diet.

For more information on food safety and nanotechnology, you can consult authoritative sources such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which provide guidance and ongoing evaluations.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Coca-Cola and other major soda brands do not claim to add engineered nanoparticles to their beverages. However, studies have detected fluorescent carbon nanoparticles in the product, suggesting they are trace byproducts of the manufacturing process, such as from high-speed mixing and heating.

A 2017 study found fluorescent carbon nanoparticles, approximately 5 nanometers in size, in both Coca-Cola and Pepsi samples. These were characterized as foodborne nanoparticles, likely formed during processing.

The safety of ingesting these nanoparticles over the long term is not yet fully understood. Acute toxicity studies on mice showed no obvious organ damage at certain concentrations, but experts emphasize the need for more research, as nanoparticles can behave differently than larger particles in the body.

You will not see "nanoparticles" listed on an ingredient label. Instead, you can look for specific additives that may come in nano-sized form, such as titanium dioxide (E171), silicon dioxide (E551), or look for less processed options with simpler ingredient lists.

The European Union banned titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive in 2022 due to lingering safety concerns. While it was historically used as a whitening agent in some cloudy-looking beverages, major brands have phased it out, especially in regions with stricter regulations.

Studies on food packaging have shown that nanomaterials can potentially migrate into food, especially under certain conditions like high heat or acidity. This possibility is a key area of research and regulatory concern for food safety agencies.

Regulation varies by region. In the U.S., some nanoparticles are categorized as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA. The EU has stricter regulations, including the ban on certain additives and rules for labeling engineered nanomaterials in some cases. Both regulatory bodies continue to re-evaluate based on ongoing research.