Key findings
- 1Most formulations contain only a small percentage of juice, with high fructose corn syrup and water making up the bulk of the product
- 2Less processed alternatives include 100% juice (no added sweeteners or dyes) or juice diluted with water at home
What goes into SunnyD products?
SunnyD is classified as a "juice drink" or "citrus beverage," not juice, a distinction that reflects its formulation. The primary ingredients are water and high fructose corn syrup, with juice concentrate contributing a small share of the volume; the label states the juice percentage. Yellow 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (sunset yellow), both synthetic dyes, create the orange color. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a sequestrant that binds metal ions to prevent cloudiness and off-flavors. Sodium benzoate acts as a preservative. The product is labeled "citrus beverage" or "juice drink" rather than juice; the label complies with FDA requirements by listing the juice percentage. Harvest Hill Beverage Company is the current parent company.
How 538 sunnyd products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
SunnyD brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a SunnyD label
- 1
Look for the juice percentage on the label; most SunnyD products contain only a small percentage of juice despite prominent fruit imagery on the packaging
- 2
Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are synthetic dyes that create the orange color the small juice content cannot produce
- 3
Sodium hexametaphosphate is a sequestrant that binds metal ions; it prevents cloudiness and off-flavors in the liquid
- 4
"Citrus beverage" or "juice drink" on the label means the product does not meet the standard to be called "juice" (which requires a higher juice percentage)
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Frequently asked questions
How much juice is in SunnyD?
Most SunnyD formulations contain only a small percentage of juice; the label states the exact figure. The primary ingredients are water and high fructose corn syrup. The product is classified as a "juice drink" or "citrus beverage" rather than juice, which would require a significantly higher juice percentage.
What are the artificial colors in SunnyD?
SunnyD contains Yellow 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (sunset yellow), both synthetic dyes. These dyes create the product's orange color, which the small juice content cannot produce at the depicted intensity. Both dyes require warning labels in the European Union.
Is SunnyD the same as orange juice?
No. Orange juice is 100% juice. SunnyD is a "citrus beverage" with a small percentage of juice, high fructose corn syrup, synthetic dyes, and preservatives. Of the 536 SunnyD products we score, 156 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 132 are Level 2. The formulations are fundamentally different despite similar packaging color schemes.
Are there less processed juice drink alternatives?
100% juice products (no added sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives) score lower in our analysis. Diluting 100% juice with water at home provides a similar flavor profile to juice drinks without the synthetic additives.