According to a study published this month in the journal Scientific African, soft and energy drinks marketed as zero-sugar in Morocco can contain up to 5.81 grams of simple sugar per 100 milliliters. Researchers led by Aimen El Orche of Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health (U6MSS) in Casablanca uncovered a broader pattern of undeclared sweeteners, hidden sugars, and missing preservatives across the Moroccan retail market, raising urgent questions about compliance and consumer safety.
Chemical Analysis Reveals Hidden Sugar in Zero-Sugar Beverages
The research team analyzed 46 commercial soft and energy drinks purchased between February and May 2025 from two major Moroccan retail chains. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and infrared spectroscopy, scientists measured additives and sugar content to compare actual ingredients against product labels. Regular carbonated sodas averaged 10.2 grams of simple sugar per 100 milliliters, with some crossing 14 grams. Meanwhile, zero-sugar and light options averaged about 0.6 grams, yet several samples contained undeclared fructose reaching 4.07 grams per 100 milliliters, according to the study.
Did you know? One product analyzed in the study listed no sugar information at all but contained 8.51 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, while another reached 15.55 grams. Only 28.3% of the products fully complied with Moroccan labeling requirements.
Additive Overexposure and Undeclared Sweeteners
Beyond hidden sugars, the laboratory findings exposed widespread discrepancies in artificial additives and preservatives. Acesulfame K appeared in 69.5% of tested samples at levels reaching 231.6 mg/L, but went undeclared on 10 products. Aspartame showed up in 10.8% of the drinks, hitting up to 198.1 mg/L, and was left off two labels. According to the researchers, undeclared aspartame poses a direct health risk for individuals with phenylketonuria who must strictly avoid phenylalanine. Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were the most common preservatives, frequently appearing together and increasing cumulative exposure for frequent drinkers.
| Additive / Substance | Detection Rate | Maximum Measured Level |
|---|---|---|
| Acesulfame K | 69.5% of samples | 231.6 mg/L |
| Aspartame | 10.8% of samples | 198.1 mg/L |
| Caffeine | High concentration | 298.03 mg/L |
Consumer Literacy and Student Survey Insights
Parallel to the laboratory analysis, the research team surveyed 412 students at the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, most of whom were female and enrolled in medicine or pharmacy programs. The survey revealed that 84.5% regularly consumed sweetened sodas and 8.3% regularly drank energy drinks. Despite their medical background, only 61.2% could correctly identify aspartame, about a third failed to name any sweetener, and 61.4% never or rarely read ingredient labels. However, roughly half of the respondents stated that clearer risk information would prompt them to cut back, and three-quarters expressed support for natural alternatives to synthetic additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Moroccan study discover about zero-sugar drinks?
The study found that beverages marketed as zero-sugar can contain up to 5.81 grams of simple sugar per 100 milliliters, alongside undeclared fructose and artificial sweeteners.
Are energy drinks strictly regulated for caffeine in Morocco?
Moroccan Decree No. 2-12-389 requires ingredients to be listed in descending order of proportion. Researchers found that caffeine was frequently undeclared or listed out of order, with levels reaching 298.03 mg/L in one energy drink.
What are the primary health concerns highlighted by the researchers?
Researchers cited potential overexposure to additives, dental enamel erosion from frequent citric acid consumption, altered gut microbiota linked to acesulfame K and saccharin, and the risk of benzene formation when sodium benzoate reacts with ascorbic acid under heat and light.
What do the study authors recommend to fix these market issues?
The authors called for stronger regulatory surveillance, routine chromatographic testing for multiple additives at once, clearer product labeling, and targeted education programs for adolescents and young adults.
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