People were shocked to learn that fruit juice pouches are made with flavored liquids and added sugars, not actual fruit.
A fruit juice pouch may seem like a refreshing snack, especially for children on a hot summer day.
However, after gaining insight into how these pouches are produced, one might reconsider offering them to youngsters.
Recently, How Things Work shared a video showcasing the production process of these fruity beverages.
Surprisingly, viewers noted a significant absence, of actual fruit in the juice-making process.
The video shows a large factory where the juice is produced.
How fruit juice is made?
Instead of fresh fruit, brightly colored liquids are mixed together in big metal containers.
These liquids are combined with large amounts of sugar to create the juice.
Once the mixture is ready, it is poured into small pouches, sealed, and then packed into boxes for shipping to stores.
Swing, the fruit juice under scrutiny, is produced by Hector Beverages and contains about 19g of sugar per 150ml pouch.
The healthiness of mass-produced fruit juices varies.
These beverages are typically made from fruit juice concentrate, which is essentially the juice with most of its water content removed.
Additives are then mixed in to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life.
While concentrate is more processed compared to raw fruit juice, some options are healthier than others.
For a healthier choice, opt for 100% fruit concentrate, as it retains more nutrients and is only sweetened with natural fruit sugars
Another thing that caught people’s attention was the lack of safety measures in the factory.
The video showed workers handling the juice mixture without wearing gloves or other protective equipment.
Social media reactions
The video, which has been viewed by thousands of people, raised many concerns.
Viewers were surprised that there seemed to be no actual fruit in the juice.
They questioned what exactly was in the brightly colored liquids being used.
Some people were so concerned that they vowed they would never drink fruit juice from a pouch again.
One person commented that they couldn’t see any fruit in the process, while another person said it looked like “diabetes in a pouch.”
I just squeezed oranges that are very sweet on their own and juiced a watermelon, one user said.
We don’t make it like that here in Aotearoa. We make it much fresher and healthier than ever before, the second user commented.
Large juice companies freeze juices for up to a year w a layer of nitrogen…fresh indeed, the third user said.
Why are they adding sugar to an already sweet drink? What’s wrong with simply squeezing oranges? Another asked.
Health risks of fruit juice pouches for children
Earlier this year, there were warnings about iced slushy drinks for kids.
Two young boys were hospitalized, suspected of suffering from glycerol intoxication after consuming these drinks.
Glycerol, a common ingredient in such beverages, is usually safe for adults and older children but can pose risks for little ones due to their smaller body weight.
In children, it can accumulate and lead to symptoms like sweating, irritability, lethargy, shock, low blood sugar, and even loss of consciousness.