Major beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, are implementing QR codes on their packaging to offer consumers enhanced transparency about the ingredients used in their drinks. This effort, spearheaded by the American Beverage Association (ABA), encompasses brands from Keurig Dr Pepper, Red Bull, Monster Energy, Celsius, and Polar Beverages.
Scanning these QR codes directs consumers to a new website, "Good to Know," which provides detailed explanations for over 140 commonly used beverage ingredients. The site elaborates on the purpose of each ingredient, the types of beverages it is found in, and how global food safety agencies evaluate its use. This initiative is separate from the mandatory Nutrition Facts labels and aims to offer consumers supplementary information about ingredients they may not recognize.
"Consumers want greater transparency and deserve to have confidence in the safety of their foods and beverages," stated Kevin Keane, President and CEO of the ABA. The "Good to Know" website also includes safety assessments from regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the European Food Safety Authority, and Health Canada.
Information available through the QR codes covers common ingredients like caffeine and citric acid, as well as less familiar ones such as Lion’s Mane and L-Carnitine. The rollout began earlier this year, with participating companies anticipating that most of their products will feature the QR codes by the end of 2027.
The increased focus on ingredient transparency aligns with broader trends in consumer awareness and public health initiatives. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made ingredient transparency and the reduction of sugary drink consumption central to his public health agenda. Earlier this year, the Trump administration also encouraged the reporting of institutions that serve sugary drinks or meals not meeting federal dietary guidelines.
This is not the first time beverage companies have utilized QR codes on their packaging; Coca-Cola has previously employed them for promotional and marketing campaigns. Separately, Steak 'n Shake has recently been observed using QR codes on self-serve soda fountains, a system the company states is designed to manage serving sizes and maintain affordable pricing for refills.