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Thirst Quencher
GATORADE
Barcode 0052000328660
AVOIDIs Thirst Quencher safe?
Thirst Quencher by GATORADE is rated AVOID by BannedPantry: its label lists 2 ingredients that are banned or restricted outside the US — Red 40 (EU (warning label required), UK (warning label required)); Caramel Color III (California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)). All of them are still legal to sell in the US.
Flagged ingredients (2)
Red 40high
Banned or restricted in: EU (warning label required), UK (warning label required)
Southampton Six colour (Allura Red, E129): EU-AUTHORISED but foods containing it must carry the label 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. Many manufacturers reformulate for the EU/UK instead.
Caramel Color IIImedium
Banned or restricted in: California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)
E150c (ammonia caramel) is authorized in the EU under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II. The Prop 65 link is indirect: the listed carcinogen is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a contaminant, listed effective Jan 7 2011 (NSRL 29 ug/day); caramel colour itself is not listed.
Cleaner swaps for Thirst Quencher
Same category, none of the flagged ingredients.
LMNT Recharge Electrolyte Drink Mix 30-pack
LMNT
Zero sugar, no artificial colors. Sodium + potassium + magnesium.
Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier Lemon Lime 16-pack
Liquid I.V.
CTT formulation, no artificial colors. Real cane sugar (not HFCS).
BIOLYTE Strawberry Lemon-Lime 12-pack
BIOLYTE
IV-formulated electrolytes, no artificial colors.
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Full ingredient list
Water, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, salt, sodium citrate. monopotassium phosphate, modified food starch, natural flavor, glycerol ester of rosin, red 40, caramel color.
Common questions
Is Thirst Quencher banned in the United States?
No — every ingredient in Thirst Quencher is currently legal to sell in the US. However, Red 40, Caramel Color III are banned or restricted in other regions: Red 40 (EU (warning label required), UK (warning label required)); Caramel Color III (California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)).
Which ingredients in Thirst Quencher are flagged?
Red 40: Southampton Six colour (Allura Red, E129): EU-AUTHORISED but foods containing it must carry the label 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. Many manufacturers reformulate for the EU/UK instead. Caramel Color III: E150c (ammonia caramel) is authorized in the EU under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II. The Prop 65 link is indirect: the listed carcinogen is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a contaminant, listed effective Jan 7 2011 (NSRL 29 ug/day); caramel colour itself is not listed.
What does the AVOID rating mean?
BannedPantry checks each labeled ingredient against food and cosmetic safety standards from the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and California, with a citation for every flag. AVOID means at least one labeled ingredient is banned or restricted by a major overseas regulator, or is high-severity under our methodology. Ratings are never influenced by brands.
What can I buy instead of Thirst Quencher?
Comparable products without the flagged ingredients include LMNT Recharge Electrolyte Drink Mix 30-pack (LMNT), Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier Lemon Lime 16-pack (Liquid I.V.), BIOLYTE Strawberry Lemon-Lime 12-pack (BIOLYTE). You can also scan any product's barcode free at https://bannedpantry.com to check it before you buy.
Run a full ingredient scan
See exactly which ingredients in Thirst Quencher are banned overseas, with sources.
Scan now →BannedPantry — Our scores are never influenced by brands.